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Back when I was 10, I discovered a story in my hometown newspaper about the Air Guitar World Championships, which take place every year in my birthplace of Oulu, Finland. Mom and Dad had volunteered at the inaugural contest starting from 1996 – my mum distributed flyers, my dad managed the music. Ever since, domestic competitions have been organized all across the world, with the winners converging in Oulu every summer.

At the time, I asked my parents if I could compete. At first they were hesitant; the event was in a bar, and there would be many grown-ups. They thought it might be an intimidating atmosphere, but I was set on it.

In my youth, I was always “playing” air guitar, pretending to play to the biggest rock tunes with my invisible instrument. My parents were lovers of music – my father loved Springsteen and the Irish rock band. AC/DC was the first band I discovered on my own. the guitarist, the guitar hero, was my idol.

When I stepped on stage, I performed my act to the band's the song Whole Lotta Rosie. The spectators started chanting “Angus”, just like the album track, and it hit me: this must be to be a guitar hero. I advanced to the last round, performing to hundreds of people in the public plaza, and I was captivated. I got the nickname “Little Angus” that day.

Then I took a break. I was a referee one year, and started the show on another occasion, 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 decided to own it and adopt “The Angus” as my artist name. I’ve reached the finals every year since 2022, and in 2023 I came second, so I was resolved to claim victory this year.

The air guitar community is like a close-knit group. Our motto is ‘Make air, not war’. It sounds silly, but it’s a genuine belief.

The contest is high-energy yet fun. Contestants have one minute to put their all – explosive energy, precise mimicry, rock star charisma – on an nonexistent axe. The panel rate you on a point range from four to six. In the case of a tie, there’s an “air-off” between the last two competitors: a song plays and you freestyle.

Preparation is everything. I chose an Avenged Sevenfold song for my routine. I listened to it on a loop for multiple weeks. I practiced flexibility, trying to get my lower body loose enough to jump, my fingers quick enough to mimic solos and my upper body prepared for those bends and jumps. By the time the big day came, I could internalize the track in my bones.

Once all acts were done, the scores came in, and I had drawn with the titleholder from Japan, the Japanese titleholder – it was moment for an air-off. We faced off to that classic rock anthem by Guns N’ Roses. As the music started, I felt at ease because it was one that I knew, and more than anything I was so eager to play again. Once the results were read I’d won, the square erupted.

My memory is blurry. I think I lost consciousness from surprise. Then the crowd started performing Neil Young’s that well-known track and lifted me on to their backs. Justin Howard – AKA his performer title – a former champion and one of my best pals, was hugging me. I wept. I was Finland’s first air guitar world champion in two and a half decades. The previous Finnish champion, the earlier victor, was also present. He gave me the most heartfelt squeeze and said it was “about damn time”.

This worldwide group is like a support system. The phrase we live by is “Focus on fun, not fighting”. Though it appears comical, but it’s a real philosophy. Competitors come from globally, and all involved is helpful and motivating. Before you go on stage, every competitor shows support. Then for 60 seconds you’re free to be yourself, playful, the biggest rock star in the world.

Besides that, I'm a beat keeper and guitarist in a musical act with my brother called the band name, referencing the football manager, as we’re fans of British music genres. I’ve been serving drinks for a short time, and I direct short films and music videos. The title hasn’t affected my daily activities significantly but I’ve been doing a extensive media, and I hope it results in more artistic projects. Oulu will be a European capital of culture next year, so there are exciting things ahead.

For now, I’m just appreciative: for the group, for the ability to compete, and for that young child who picked up a newspaper and thought, “I want to do that.”