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When I was just 10, I discovered a feature in my local paper about the Global Air Guitar Contest, held annually every year in my hometown of Oulu, Finland. My parents had participated at the pioneering contest starting from 1996 – my mum distributed flyers, dad organized the music. Since then, domestic competitions have been organized in many nations, with the winners converging in Oulu annually.

At the time, I requested permission if I could participate. At first they were hesitant; the event 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 “playing” air guitar, acting out to the iconic rock tunes with my imaginary instrument. My family were music fans – my father loved Bruce Springsteen and the Irish rock band. the Australian rockers was the original act I discovered on my own. Angus Young, the guitar hero, was my inspiration.

When I stepped on stage, I played my set to AC/DC’s the song Whole Lotta Rosie. The crowd started shouting “Angus”, just like the album track, and it hit me: this must be to be a music icon. I made it to the finals, competing to hundreds of people in the town square, and I was hooked. I earned the moniker “Little Angus” that day.

After that I stopped. I was a adjudicator one year, and started the show another time, but I didn’t compete. I returned at 18, tested out several stage names, but people kept calling me “Little Angus” so I accepted it fully and adopt “The Angus” as my stage name. I’ve reached the finals each competition since then, and in 2023 I placed second, so I was determined to claim victory this year.

Our global network is like a family. Our motto is ‘Make air, not war’. Though it appears humorous, but it’s a genuine belief.

The contest is high-energy yet fun. Competitors have 60 seconds to deliver maximum effort – high-powered performance, perfect mime, rock star charisma – on an invisible guitar. Adjudicators evaluate you on a scale from 4.0 to 6.0. In the case of a tie, there’s an “tiebreaker” between the last two competitors: a track is selected and you improvise.

Training is crucial. I chose an Avenged Sevenfold song for my performance. I played it repeatedly for multiple weeks. I stretched constantly, trying to get my legs prepared enough to jump, my hands nimble enough to copy riffs and my back prepared for those moves and leaps. When competition day dawned, I could feel the song in my soul.

Once all acts were done, the scores came in, and I had matched with the titleholder from Japan, the Japanese titleholder – it was moment for an tiebreaker. We competed directly to Sweet Child o’ Mine by the iconic band. As the music started, I felt at ease because it was a tune I recognized, and above all I was so thrilled to have another go. When they announced I’d triumphed, the square exploded.

My memory is blurry. I think I blacked out from shock. Then everyone started chanting the classic tune that well-known track and hoisted me on to their arms. One of the greats – also known as his performer title – a previous titleholder and one of my best pals, was embracing me. I wept. I was Finland’s first air guitar world champion in two and a half decades. The previous Finnish champion, Markus “Black Raven” Vainionpää, was there, too. He bestowed upon me the biggest hug and said it was “long overdue”.

This worldwide group is like a close-knit group. The phrase we live by is “Focus on fun, not fighting”. It sounds silly, but it’s a genuine belief. People come from many countries, and each person is supportive and encouraging. As you prepare to compete, all participants comes and hugs you. Then for 60 seconds you’re free to be uninhibited, silly, the ultimate music icon in the world.

Additionally, I am a drummer and string player in a group with my sibling called the band name, inspired by the sports figure, as we’re fans of British music genres. I’ve been serving drinks for a few years now, and I produce mini movies and song visuals. The title hasn’t changed my day-to-day life too much but I’ve been doing a extensive media, and I hope it results in more artistic projects. My hometown will be a designated cultural center soon, so there are great prospects.

Currently, I’m just thankful: for the group, for the chance to perform, and for that young child who picked up a newspaper and thought, “I want to do that.”