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When I was just 10, I read about a feature in my community gazette about the Global Air Guitar Contest, held annually every year in my native city of Oulu, Finland. Mom and Dad had helped out at the pioneering contest starting from 1996 – mom distributed flyers, dad managed the music. Since then, country-level contests have been held in many nations, with the titleholders gathering in Oulu each August.

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

As a kid, I was always miming air guitar, acting out to the most popular rock tunes with my make-believe instrument. My parents were enthusiasts – my father loved The Boss and U2. the Australian rockers was the initial group I stumbled upon myself. the lead guitarist, the guitar hero, was my idol.

As I took the stage, I did my routine to AC/DC’s the song Whole Lotta Rosie. The spectators started chanting “Angus”, similar to the concert version, and it dawned on me: so this is to be a rock star. I advanced to the last round, playing to crowds in the town square, and I was hooked. I was dubbed “Little Angus” that day.

Later I paused. I was a adjudicator one year, and opened for the show on another occasion, but I didn’t compete. I returned at 18, experimented with various stage names, but everyone still referred to me as “Little Angus” so I decided to own it and make “The Angus” as my artist name. I’ve reached the finals 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 family. The saying we live by is ‘Play air guitar, avoid battles’. It sounds silly, but it’s a true ethos.

The competition itself is competitive but uplifting. Contestants have 60 seconds to give everything – explosive energy, precise mimicry, rock star charisma – on an imaginary instrument. Adjudicators score you on a point range from four to six. If scores are equal, there’s an “showdown” between the remaining participants: a tune begins and you improvise.

Getting ready is key. I selected an Avenged Sevenfold song for my performance. I had it on repeat for a long time. I practiced flexibility, trying to get my limbs flexible enough to leap, my fingers fast enough to imitate guitar parts and my back prepared for those moves and leaps. By the time the big day dawned, I could sense the music in my bones.

After everyone had performed, the results were tallied, and I had matched with the titleholder from Japan, Yuta “Sudo-chan” Sudo – it was occasion for an air-off. We competed directly to the Guns N’ Roses hit by Guns N’ Roses. As the music started, I felt comforted because it was familiar to me, and primarily I was so eager to perform one more time. As they declared I’d triumphed, the venue went wild.

It's all a bit fuzzy. I think I blacked out from the excitement. Then everyone started performing the song Rockin’ in the Free World and hoisted me on to their backs. One of the greats – also known as his performer title – a previous titleholder and one of my closest friends, was embracing me. I shed tears. I was the inaugural from Finland air guitar world champion in two and a half decades. The prior titleholder, Markus “Black Raven” Vainionpää, was also present. He offered me the most heartfelt squeeze and said it was “about damn time”.

Our global network is like a support system. The phrase we live by is “Make air, not war”. Though it appears comical, but it’s a true way of life. People come from globally, and all involved is helpful and motivating. As you prepare to compete, every competitor comes and hugs you. Then for a brief period you’re allowed to be uninhibited, silly, the ultimate music icon in the world.

I’m also a beat keeper and musician in a musical act with my sibling called the group title, inspired by Gareth Southgate, as we’re fans of UK rock and post-punk. I’ve been bartending for a short time, and I direct mini movies and performance clips. The victory 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 European capital of culture next year, so there are exciting things ahead.

At present, I’m just grateful: for the network, for the ability to compete, and for that little kid who picked up a newspaper and thought, “I'd love to try that.”