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When I was just 10, I discovered a article in my community gazette about the World Air Guitar Competition, that happens every year in my native city of Oulu, Finland. My parents had volunteered at the inaugural contest back in 1996 – mom handed out flyers, my father organized the music. Ever since, country-level contests have been staged all across the world, with the champions gathering in Oulu every summer.

Back then, I inquired with my family if I could enter. At first they were hesitant; the event was in a bar, and there would be an older crowd. They thought it might be an intimidating atmosphere, but I was set on it.

In my youth, I was always performing air guitar, pretending to play to the most popular rock tunes with my invisible instrument. Mom and Dad were music fans – dad loved Springsteen and the Irish rock band. the Australian rockers was the original act I stumbled upon myself. Angus Young, the guitar hero, was my idol.

Upon entering the spotlight, I did my routine 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 guitar hero. I reached the championship, competing to hundreds of people in Oulu’s market square, and I was hooked. I earned the moniker “Little Angus” that day.

Later I paused. I was a judge one year, and started the show another time, 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 accepted it fully and adopt “The Angus” as my performance alias. I’ve reached the finals every year since 2022, and in 2023 I placed second, so I was determined to win this year.

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

The competition itself is intense but joyful. Contestants have one minute to put their all – dynamic presence, precise mimicry, stage magnetism – on an invisible guitar. The panel score you on a point range from a specific numeric range. If scores are equal, there’s an “showdown” between the remaining participants: a tune begins and you create on the spot.

Training is crucial. I selected an a metal group song for my routine. I listened to it on a loop for a long time. I practiced flexibility, trying to get my limbs flexible enough to leap, my hands quick enough to imitate guitar parts and my upper body ready for those gestures and hops. When competition day came, I could internalize the track in my being.

Once all acts were done, the results were tallied, and I had drawn with the winner from Japan, Yuta “Sudo-chan” Sudo – it was time for an air-off. We faced off to that classic rock anthem by the iconic band. Once the track began, I felt at ease because it was one that I knew, and above all I was so thrilled to play again. When they announced I’d triumphed, the square erupted.

It's all a bit fuzzy. I think I lost consciousness from surprise. Then the crowd started singing Neil Young’s that well-known track and hoisted me on to their shoulders. One of the greats – alias Nordic Thunder – a former champion and one of my closest friends, was holding me. I shed tears. I was the inaugural from Finland air guitar international titleholder in a quarter-century. The prior titleholder, the earlier victor, was there, too. He offered me the most heartfelt squeeze and said it was “finally happening”.

The air guitar community is like a support system. The phrase we live by is “Focus on fun, not fighting”. Though it appears comical, but it’s a true way of life. People come from globally, and everyone is helpful and motivating. As you prepare to compete, all participants comes and hugs you. Then for 60 seconds you’re allowed to be free, playful, the top performer in the world.

I’m also a percussionist and musician in a musical act with my sibling called the band name, inspired by the sports figure, as we’re inspired by British music genres. I’ve been serving drinks for a couple of years, and I direct mini movies and song visuals. The title hasn’t changed my day-to-day life too much but I’ve been doing a lot of press, and I hope it brings more artistic projects. Oulu will be a cultural hub the coming year, so there are great prospects.

For now, I’m just appreciative: for the group, for the opportunity to play, and for that young child who found a story and thought, “I'd love to try that.”