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When I was just 10, I read about a feature in my community gazette about the Global Air Guitar Contest, that happens every year in my birthplace of Oulu, Finland. My parents had helped out at the very first contest since 1996 – mom distributed flyers, dad organized the music. Since then, country-level contests have been staged all across the world, with the titleholders gathering in Oulu every summer.

At the time, I requested permission if I could enter. Initially they had doubts; the competition was in a bar, and there would be a lot of adults. They thought it might be an overwhelming atmosphere, but I was determined.

During childhood, I was always performing air guitar, miming along to the iconic rock tunes with my invisible instrument. My family were enthusiasts – dad loved The Boss and the Irish rock band. AC/DC was the first band I found independently. the guitarist, the guitar hero, was my idol.

Upon entering the spotlight, I did my routine to AC/DC’s the song Whole Lotta Rosie. The spectators started chanting “Angus”, similar to the live recording, and it hit me: this is what it feels like to be a rock star. I advanced to the last round, competing to hundreds of people in Oulu’s market square, and I was addicted. I was dubbed “Little Angus” that day.

After that I stopped. I was a adjudicator one year, and kicked off the show on another occasion, but I didn’t compete. I came back at 18, tried a few different stage names, but everyone still referred to me as “Little Angus” so I decided to own it and choose “The Angus” as my stage name. I’ve qualified for the last round each competition since then, and in 2023 I came second, so I was set to take the title this year.

The worldwide group is like a support system. Our motto is ‘Create music, not conflict’. Though it appears humorous, but it’s a true ethos.

The contest is intense but joyful. Participants have one minute to give everything – dynamic presence, flawless imitation, stage magnetism – on an nonexistent axe. The panel evaluate you on a scale from 4.0 to 6.0. In the case of a tie, there’s an “air-off” between the last two competitors: a tune begins and you freestyle.

Training is crucial. I picked an the band Avenged Sevenfold song for my routine. I had it on repeat for weeks. I stretched constantly, trying to get my limbs prepared enough to bound, my digits fast enough to copy riffs and my back prepared for those gestures and hops. By the time competition day dawned, I could feel the song in my bones.

When the show concluded, the results were tallied, and I had drawn with the titleholder from Japan, the Japanese titleholder – it was occasion for an tiebreaker. We went head-to-head to Sweet Child o’ Mine by Guns N’ Roses. As the music started, I felt comforted because it was familiar to me, and above all I was so excited to perform one more time. When they announced I’d emerged victorious, the area erupted.

It's all a bit fuzzy. I think I lost consciousness from surprise. Then all present started performing Neil Young’s Rockin’ in the Free World and lifted me on to their arms. A former champion – also known as his performer title – a previous titleholder and one of my best pals, was holding me. I wept. I was the first Finnish air guitar world champion in 25 years. The prior titleholder, the earlier victor, was in attendance as well. He offered me the warmest embrace and said it was “about damn time”.

The air guitar community is like a close-knit group. Our guiding saying is “Create music, not conflict”. It sounds silly, but it’s a genuine belief. People come from globally, and each person is helpful and motivating. Before you go on stage, all participants offers an embrace. Then for a brief period you’re free to be free, humorous, the biggest rock star in the world.

Additionally, I am a percussionist and string player in a band with my sibling called the Southgates, referencing Gareth Southgate, as we’re fans of British music genres. I’ve been working in bars for a few years now, and I direct short films and song visuals. Winning hasn’t affected my daily activities significantly but I’ve been doing a lot of press, and I hope it leads to more artistic projects. Oulu will be a European capital of culture next year, so there are exciting things ahead.

Currently, I’m just grateful: for the community, for the opportunity to play, and for that young child who found a story and thought, “That's for me.”