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At the age of 10, I read about a feature in my local paper about the Global Air Guitar Contest, held annually every year in my birthplace of Oulu, Finland. My family had volunteered at the very first contest back in 1996 – mom distributed flyers, my father sorted the music. From that point, national championships have been held globally, with the champions gathering in Oulu every summer.

Initially, I inquired with my family if I could enter. They weren't sure at first; the event was in a bar, and there would be an older crowd. They believed it might be an overwhelming atmosphere, but I was resolved.

In my youth, I was always miming air guitar, miming along to the biggest rock tunes with my make-believe instrument. Mom and Dad were lovers of music – my father loved The Boss and the Irish rock band. the band AC/DC was the first band I stumbled upon myself. the lead guitarist, the lead guitarist, was my idol.

When I stepped on stage, I performed my act to the band's that classic track. The audience started chanting “Angus”, just like the album track, and it struck me: so this is to be a music icon. I reached the championship, competing to a large audience in Oulu’s market square, and I was captivated. I was dubbed “Little Angus” that day.

After that I stopped. I was a adjudicator one year, and started the show on another occasion, but I didn’t compete. I came back at 18, tried a few different stage names, but everyone still referred to me as “Little Angus” so I embraced it and choose “The Angus” as my performance alias. I’ve made it to the final each competition since then, and in 2023 I placed second, so I was determined to take the title this year.

The air guitar community is like a close-knit group. Our guiding principle is ‘Make air, not war’. Though it appears humorous, but it’s a genuine belief.

The competition itself is intense but joyful. Competitors have 60 seconds to put their all – explosive energy, flawless imitation, stage magnetism – on an invisible guitar. Adjudicators score you on a scale from four to six. When it's a draw, there’s an “showdown” between the remaining participants: a track is selected and you improvise.

Getting ready is key. I chose an the band Avenged Sevenfold song for my routine. I listened to it on a loop for multiple weeks. I stretched constantly, trying to get my lower body flexible enough to bound, my digits fast enough to mimic solos and my back set for those gestures and hops. Once the event came, I could feel the song in my soul.

When the show concluded, the results were tallied, and I had matched with the winner from Japan, the Japanese titleholder – it was occasion for an final showdown. We went head-to-head to that classic rock anthem by the rock group. Once the track began, I felt relieved because it was familiar to me, and more than anything I was so excited to play again. When they announced I’d triumphed, the square erupted.

My memory is blurry. I think I blacked out from surprise. Then all present started singing Neil Young’s the anthem Rockin' in the Free World and lifted me on to their shoulders. One of the greats – alias his performer title – a past winner and one of my dear companions, was embracing me. I shed tears. I was the first Finnish air guitar international titleholder in 25 years. The previous Finnish champion, Markus “Black Raven” Vainionpää, was also present. He gave me the most heartfelt squeeze and said it was “about damn time”.

The air guitar community is like a support system. Our guiding saying is “Create music, not conflict”. It sounds silly, but it’s a real philosophy. People come from all over the world, and everyone is helpful and motivating. Before you go on stage, all participants comes and hugs you. Then for one minute you’re allowed to be free, silly, the ultimate music icon in the world.

Additionally, I am a beat keeper and musician in a band with my sibling called the band name, named after the sports figure, as we’re fans of Britpop and new wave. I’ve been serving drinks for a few years now, and I create short films and performance clips. The title hasn’t changed my day-to-day life drastically but I’ve been doing a many interviews, and I aspire it brings more artistic projects. The city will be a designated cultural center next year, so there are promising opportunities.

Currently, I’m just grateful: for the community, for the opportunity to play, and for that budding enthusiast who read an article and thought, “I want to do that.”