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Back when I was 10, I read about a feature in my hometown newspaper about the Global Air Guitar Contest, which take place every year in my native city of Oulu, Finland. My family had helped out at the pioneering contest back in 1996 – my mum handed out flyers, dad managed the music. Ever since, country-level contests have been held all across the world, with the champions converging in Oulu each August.

Initially, I inquired with my family if I could enter. They weren't sure at first; the show was in a bar, and there would be a lot of adults. They believed it might be an overwhelming atmosphere, but I was determined.

In my youth, I was always “playing” air guitar, acting out to the iconic rock tunes with my invisible instrument. Mom and Dad were enthusiasts – my dad loved Springsteen and U2. AC/DC was the first band I discovered on my own. the lead guitarist, the guitar hero, was my inspiration.

As I took the stage, I did my routine to AC/DC’s the song Whole Lotta Rosie. The audience started chanting “Angus”, reminiscent of the album track, and it dawned on me: so this is to be a music icon. I made it to the finals, performing to a large audience in the public plaza, and I was captivated. I earned the moniker “Little Angus” that day.

Then I took a break. I was a adjudicator one year, and started the show another time, but I didn't participate. I went back at 18, experimented with various stage names, but fans continued using “Little Angus” so I embraced it and choose “The Angus” as my artist name. I’ve reached the finals annually from 2022 onward, and in 2023 I came second, so I was resolved to win this year.

Our global network is like a family. Our motto is ‘Play air guitar, avoid battles’. It sounds silly, but it’s a genuine belief.

The event is high-energy yet fun. Competitors have 60 seconds to give everything – dynamic presence, precise mimicry, stage magnetism – on an invisible guitar. Adjudicators evaluate you on a grading system from a specific numeric range. If scores are equal, there’s an “tiebreaker” between the remaining participants: a track is selected and you improvise.

Preparation is everything. I picked an a metal group song for my act. I listened to it on a loop for weeks. I stretched constantly, trying to get my legs flexible enough to bound, my hands fast enough to imitate guitar parts and my spine set for those bends and jumps. By the time the event arrived, I could sense the music in my being.

When the show concluded, the results were tallied, and I had drawn with the Japanese champion, a competitor known as Sudo-chan – it was time for an final showdown. We competed directly to Sweet Child o’ Mine by the rock group. When I heard the song, I felt at ease because it was one that I knew, and above all I was so eager to perform one more time. As they declared I’d emerged victorious, the venue erupted.

It's all a bit fuzzy. I think I blacked out from shock. Then all present started singing Neil Young’s that well-known track and lifted me on to their shoulders. A former champion – AKA Nordic Thunder – a former champion and one of my best pals, was holding me. I wept. I was Finland’s first air guitar world champion in a quarter-century. The prior titleholder, the former champion, was in attendance as well. He gave me the most heartfelt squeeze and said it was “about damn time”.

The air guitar community is like a close-knit group. The phrase we live by is “Create music, not conflict”. Though it appears comical, but it’s a true way of life. People come from globally, and each person is helpful and motivating. As you prepare to compete, each contestant shows support. Then for a brief period you’re allowed to be uninhibited, silly, the biggest rock star in the world.

Additionally, I am a percussionist and guitarist in a musical act with my family member called the Southgates, referencing Gareth Southgate, as we’re fans of British music genres. I’ve been bartending for a few years now, and I produce short films and song visuals. Winning hasn’t changed my day-to-day life too much but I’ve been doing a many interviews, and I wish it brings more artistic projects. Oulu will be a designated cultural center next year, so there are exciting things ahead.

At present, I’m just appreciative: for the network, for the chance to perform, and for that young child who found a story and thought, “I want to do that.”