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Back when I was 10, I came across a story in my community gazette about the Global Air Guitar Contest, which take place every year in my birthplace of Oulu, Finland. My parents had participated at the very first contest starting from 1996 – my mother distributed flyers, dad managed the music. From that point, domestic competitions have been staged globally, with the champions gathering in Oulu every summer.

Initially, I asked my parents if I could enter. Initially they had doubts; the competition was in a bar, and there would be an older crowd. They believed it might be an overwhelming atmosphere, but I was determined.

During childhood, I was always “playing” air guitar, pretending to play to the most popular rock tunes with my make-believe instrument. My family were enthusiasts – dad loved Springsteen and U2. AC/DC was the initial group I discovered on my own. the lead guitarist, the lead guitarist, was my idol.

When I stepped on stage, I did my routine to the band's the song Whole Lotta Rosie. The audience started yelling “Angus”, reminiscent of the concert version, and it dawned on me: so this is to be a music icon. I reached the championship, performing to hundreds of people in the town square, and I was captivated. I earned the moniker “Little Angus” that day.

After that I stopped. I was a referee one year, and kicked off the show once more, but I didn’t compete. I came back at 18, tested out several stage names, but everyone still referred to me as “Little Angus” so I embraced it and make “The Angus” as my performance alias. I’ve reached the finals annually from 2022 onward, and in 2023 I placed second, so I was resolved to take the title this year.

The air guitar community is like a family. Our motto is ‘Create music, not conflict’. It sounds silly, but it’s a real philosophy.

The event is high-energy yet fun. Participants have 60 seconds to deliver maximum effort – dynamic presence, perfect mime, performance charm – on an nonexistent axe. Adjudicators score you on a point range from a specific numeric range. If scores are equal, there’s an “air-off” between the last two competitors: a song plays and you improvise.

Preparation is everything. I selected an a metal group song for my routine. I played it repeatedly for a long time. I stretched constantly, trying to get my lower body prepared enough to jump, my fingers fast enough to mimic solos and my upper body ready for those moves and leaps. Once the event arrived, I could internalize the track in my being.

After everyone had performed, the results were tallied, and I had matched with the Japanese champion, the Japanese titleholder – it was moment for an tiebreaker. We competed directly to Sweet Child o’ Mine by the rock group. As the music started, I felt relieved because it was one that I knew, and more than anything I was so eager to perform one more time. Once the results were read I’d triumphed, the square erupted.

It's all a bit fuzzy. I think I zoned out from shock. Then everyone started singing the song that well-known track and lifted me on to their arms. Justin Howard – AKA Nordic Thunder – a past winner and one of my best pals, was holding me. I shed tears. I was Finland’s first air guitar global winner in a quarter-century. The previous Finnish champion, the former champion, was also present. He bestowed upon me the warmest embrace and said it was “about damn time”.

The air guitar community is like a support system. Our guiding saying is “Make air, not war”. It may seem humorous, but it’s a true way of life. Participants come from globally, and everyone is helpful and motivating. Prior to performing, every competitor offers an embrace. Then for a brief period you’re able to be yourself, silly, the ultimate music icon in the world.

Additionally, I am a drummer and string player in a band with my sibling called the group title, inspired by the football manager, as we’re influenced by Britpop and new wave. I’ve been serving drinks for a few years now, and I create short films and song visuals. The victory hasn’t affected my daily activities drastically but I’ve been doing a lot of press, and I hope it brings more artistic projects. My hometown will be a European capital of culture next year, so there are promising opportunities.

At present, I’m just grateful: for the group, for the ability to compete, and for that budding enthusiast who found a story and thought, “That's for me.”