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When I was just 10, I came across a article in my hometown newspaper about the Global Air Guitar Contest, held annually every year in my hometown of Oulu, Finland. My parents had helped out at the pioneering contest back in 1996 – mom handed out flyers, my dad organized the music. Ever since, domestic competitions have been staged in many nations, with the winners converging in Oulu each August.

At the time, I inquired with my family if I could enter. Initially they had doubts; the event was in a bar, and there would be many grown-ups. They believed it might be an overwhelming atmosphere, but I was determined.

As a kid, I was always “playing” air guitar, pretending to play to the iconic rock tunes with my make-believe instrument. My family were music fans – my dad loved Bruce Springsteen and the Irish rock band. the Australian rockers was the initial group I stumbled upon myself. the lead guitarist, the lead guitarist, was my inspiration.

Upon entering the spotlight, I performed my act to AC/DC’s the song Whole Lotta Rosie. The audience started shouting “Angus”, just like the concert version, and it dawned on me: this must be to be a rock star. I reached the championship, performing to a large audience in Oulu’s market square, and I was captivated. I got the nickname “Little Angus” that day.

After that I stopped. I was a referee one year, and kicked off the show on another occasion, but I didn’t compete. I went back at 18, experimented with various stage names, but people kept calling me “Little Angus” so I accepted it fully and choose “The Angus” as my performance alias. I’ve qualified for the last round annually from 2022 onward, and in 2023 I placed second, so I was set to win this year.

The air guitar community is like a close-knit group. The saying we live by is ‘Make air, not war’. It may seem funny, but it’s a genuine belief.

The event is high-energy yet fun. Competitors have a short window to put their all – high-powered performance, precise mimicry, performance charm – on an invisible guitar. Judges evaluate you on a scale from a specific numeric range. If scores are equal, there’s an “air-off” between the final two contestants: a tune begins and you freestyle.

Training is crucial. I picked an a metal group song for my act. I played it repeatedly for multiple weeks. I practiced flexibility, trying to get my lower body flexible enough to leap, my hands fast enough to copy riffs and my back set for those gestures and hops. Once competition day arrived, I could internalize the track in my soul.

When the show concluded, the scores came in, and I had drawn with the winner from Japan, the Japanese titleholder – it was occasion for an final showdown. We faced off to the Guns N’ Roses hit by Guns N’ Roses. As the music started, I felt comforted because it was a tune I recognized, and above all I was so thrilled to play again. As they declared I’d emerged victorious, the area exploded.

It's all a bit fuzzy. I think I lost consciousness from surprise. Then all present started singing the classic tune the anthem Rockin' in the Free World and raised me up on to their backs. Justin Howard – AKA Nordic Thunder – a past winner and one of my closest friends, was hugging me. I shed tears. I was Finland’s first air guitar global winner in two and a half decades. The previous Finnish champion, the former champion, was also present. He offered me the most heartfelt squeeze and said it was “finally happening”.

This worldwide group is like a family. Our guiding saying is “Make air, not war”. Though it appears comical, but it’s a real philosophy. Competitors come from globally, and all involved is positive and uplifting. As you prepare to compete, each contestant offers an embrace. Then for 60 seconds you’re free to be free, playful, the biggest rock star in the world.

Additionally, I am a beat keeper and guitarist in a group with my family member called the band name, referencing Gareth Southgate, as we’re inspired by British music genres. I’ve been serving drinks for a few years now, and I produce short films and song visuals. Winning hasn’t affected my daily activities drastically but I’ve been doing a many interviews, and I aspire it results in more artistic projects. Oulu will be a cultural hub the coming year, so there are promising opportunities.

At present, I’m just grateful: for the community, for the chance to perform, and for that budding enthusiast who found a story and thought, “That's for me.”