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When I was just 10, I discovered a article in my community gazette about the World Air Guitar Competition, held annually every year in my native city of Oulu, Finland. Mom and Dad had volunteered at the inaugural contest back in 1996 – my mother handed out flyers, my dad managed the music. Since then, national championships have been staged globally, with the titleholders converging in Oulu each August.

At the time, I inquired with my family if I could compete. Initially they had doubts; the show was in a bar, and there would be an older crowd. They believed it might be an overwhelming atmosphere, but I was resolved.

During childhood, I was always performing air guitar, miming along to the biggest rock tunes with my invisible instrument. Mom and Dad were music fans – dad loved Bruce Springsteen and U2. the band AC/DC was the initial group I found independently. the lead guitarist, the guitar hero, was my hero.

As I took the stage, I performed my act to AC/DC’s that classic track. The spectators started chanting “Angus”, similar to the concert version, and it dawned on me: this is what it feels like to be a rock star. I made it to the finals, competing to hundreds of people in Oulu’s market square, and I was hooked. I earned the moniker “Little Angus” that day.

After that I stopped. I was a adjudicator one year, and opened for the show once more, but I didn’t compete. I came back at 18, experimented with various stage names, but people kept calling me “Little Angus” so I accepted it fully and choose “The Angus” as my stage name. I’ve reached the finals each competition since then, and in 2023 I was the runner-up, so I was determined to take the title this year.

The worldwide group is like a family. Our motto is ‘Play air guitar, avoid battles’. Though it appears humorous, but it’s a real philosophy.

The event is intense but joyful. Competitors have one minute to give everything – high-powered performance, flawless imitation, stage magnetism – on an nonexistent axe. Judges evaluate you on a scale from a specific numeric range. In the case of a tie, there’s an “showdown” between the last two competitors: a tune begins and you create on the spot.

Training is crucial. I chose an a metal group song for my act. I had it on repeat for weeks. I practiced flexibility, trying to get my legs loose enough to jump, my fingers quick enough to copy riffs and my upper body ready for those bends and jumps. When the event arrived, I could internalize the track in my soul.

After everyone had performed, the points were announced, and I had matched with the titleholder from Japan, the Japanese titleholder – it was time for an tiebreaker. We went head-to-head to the Guns N’ Roses hit by Guns N’ Roses. When I heard the song, I felt at ease because it was familiar to me, and above all I was so excited to perform one more time. Once the results were read I’d emerged victorious, the square erupted.

It's all a bit fuzzy. I think I blacked out from surprise. Then all present started singing the classic tune Rockin’ in the Free World and raised me up on to their arms. One of the greats – alias Nordic Thunder – a former champion and one of my closest friends, was hugging me. I shed tears. I was the first Finnish air guitar world champion in a quarter-century. The previous Finnish champion, Markus “Black Raven” Vainionpää, was also present. He bestowed upon me the warmest embrace and said it was “finally happening”.

This worldwide group is like a support system. The phrase we live by is “Make air, not war”. It sounds silly, but it’s a genuine belief. Participants come from all over the world, and each person is positive and uplifting. Prior to performing, each contestant offers an embrace. Then for a brief period you’re able to be yourself, silly, the top performer in the world.

I’m also a drummer and string player in a band with my family member called the band name, named after Gareth Southgate, as we’re influenced by UK rock and post-punk. I’ve been working in bars for a short time, and I produce short films and performance clips. The title hasn’t affected my daily activities drastically but I’ve been doing a many interviews, and I aspire it brings more innovative opportunities. My hometown will be a designated cultural center next year, so there are exciting things ahead.

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