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When I was just 10, I read about a article in my hometown newspaper about the Air Guitar World Championships, held annually every year in my hometown of Oulu, Finland. My parents had participated at the inaugural contest starting from 1996 – my mother gave out flyers, my father managed the music. Since then, national championships have been organized in many nations, with the winners converging in Oulu each August.

At the time, I asked my parents if I could enter. At first they were hesitant; the show was in a bar, and there would be an older crowd. They felt it might be an intimidating atmosphere, but I was determined.

In my youth, I was always “playing” air guitar, pretending to play to the most popular rock tunes with my imaginary instrument. My family were enthusiasts – my dad loved Springsteen and the Irish rock band. AC/DC was the initial group I stumbled upon myself. the lead guitarist, the lead guitarist, was my inspiration.

When I stepped on stage, I played my set to AC/DC’s the song Whole Lotta Rosie. The audience started shouting “Angus”, just like the album track, and it hit me: so this is to be a music icon. I reached the championship, competing to hundreds of people in the town square, and I was hooked. I earned the moniker “Little Angus” that day.

Then I took a break. I was a judge one year, and kicked off the show another time, but I stayed out of the contest. I came back at 18, experimented with various stage names, but fans continued using “Little Angus” so I accepted it fully and adopt “The Angus” as my stage name. I’ve qualified for the last round every year since 2022, and in 2023 I placed second, so I was determined to claim victory this year.

Our global network is like a close-knit group. The saying we live by is ‘Create music, not conflict’. It may seem funny, but it’s a real philosophy.

The competition itself is intense but joyful. Contestants have a short window to deliver maximum effort – explosive energy, flawless imitation, stage magnetism – on an imaginary instrument. Adjudicators evaluate you on a point range from a specific numeric range. If scores are equal, there’s an “air-off” between the final two contestants: a track is selected and you improvise.

Preparation is everything. I chose an the band Avenged Sevenfold song for my routine. I played it repeatedly for multiple weeks. I practiced flexibility, trying to get my lower body prepared enough to bound, my digits quick enough to mimic solos and my upper body ready for those bends and jumps. Once the big day arrived, I could sense the music in my bones.

When the show concluded, the scores came in, and I had matched with the Japanese champion, the Japanese titleholder – it was time for an final showdown. We faced off to Sweet Child o’ Mine by the iconic band. Once the track began, I felt at ease because it was one that I knew, and more than anything I was so eager to perform one more time. When they announced I’d emerged victorious, the area went wild.

It's all a bit fuzzy. I think I zoned out from the excitement. Then the crowd started performing Neil Young’s the anthem Rockin' in the Free World and hoisted me on to their backs. Justin Howard – AKA his performer title – a former champion and one of my dear companions, was embracing me. I wept. I was the first Finnish air guitar global winner in two and a half decades. The earlier winner from Finland, the earlier victor, was in attendance as well. He gave me the most heartfelt squeeze and said it was “finally happening”.

Our global network is like a support system. Our guiding saying is “Make air, not war”. Though it appears comical, but it’s a true way of life. Competitors come from all over the world, and each person is positive and uplifting. As you prepare to compete, every competitor offers an embrace. Then for a brief period you’re allowed to be uninhibited, humorous, the top performer in the world.

I’m also a beat keeper and guitarist in a group with my sibling called the group title, referencing the sports figure, as we’re inspired by Britpop and new wave. I’ve been working in bars for a few years now, and I direct independent videos and music videos. Winning hasn’t altered my routine drastically but I’ve been doing a many interviews, and I wish it results in more artistic projects. Oulu will be a European capital of culture the coming year, so there are great prospects.

Currently, I’m just grateful: for the network, for the chance to perform, and for that budding enthusiast who picked up a newspaper and thought, “That's for me.”