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Back when I was 10, I read about a feature in my local paper 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 inaugural contest starting from 1996 – mom distributed flyers, dad managed the music. From that point, national championships have been held in many nations, with the titleholders gathering in Oulu annually.

Initially, I asked my parents if I could compete. They weren't sure at first; the competition was in a bar, and there would be an older crowd. They felt it might be an overwhelming atmosphere, but I was set on it.

In my youth, I was always “playing” air guitar, acting out to the biggest rock tunes with my make-believe instrument. My family were music fans – my dad loved Bruce Springsteen and U2. AC/DC was the original act I found independently. Angus Young, the frontman guitarist, was my idol.

When I stepped on stage, I performed my act to the band's that classic track. The crowd started chanting “Angus”, similar to the concert version, and it hit me: so this is to be a guitar hero. I advanced to the last round, playing to hundreds of people in Oulu’s market square, and I was hooked. I earned the moniker “Little Angus” that day.

After that I stopped. I was a judge one year, and started the show another time, but I stayed out of the contest. I returned at 18, tested out several stage names, but everyone still referred to me as “Little Angus” so I embraced it and make “The Angus” as my stage name. I’ve made it to the final annually from 2022 onward, and in 2023 I was the runner-up, so I was set to claim victory this year.

The air guitar community is like a close-knit group. Our guiding principle is ‘Create music, not conflict’. Though it appears humorous, but it’s a real philosophy.

The contest is competitive but uplifting. Competitors have 60 seconds to give everything – high-powered performance, perfect mime, performance charm – on an nonexistent axe. Judges evaluate you on a grading system from 4.0 to 6.0. In the case of a tie, there’s an “air-off” between the final two contestants: a track is selected and you freestyle.

Preparation is everything. I selected an Avenged Sevenfold song for my routine. I listened to it on a loop for a long time. I did regular stretches, trying to get my lower body flexible enough to leap, my digits quick enough to copy riffs and my back prepared for those gestures and hops. When competition day dawned, I could sense the music in my bones.

When the show concluded, the points were announced, and I had tied with the titleholder from Japan, a competitor known as Sudo-chan – it was moment for an tiebreaker. We faced off to Sweet Child o’ Mine by the rock group. As the music started, I felt relieved because it was familiar to me, and more than anything I was so thrilled to play again. As they declared I’d emerged victorious, the square exploded.

My memory is blurry. I think I zoned out from shock. Then all present started singing Neil Young’s Rockin’ in the Free World and hoisted me on to their shoulders. Justin Howard – alias his performer title – a previous titleholder and one of my best pals, was embracing me. I cried. I was the first Finnish air guitar international titleholder in a quarter-century. The previous Finnish champion, the earlier victor, was also present. He bestowed upon me the warmest embrace and said it was “finally happening”.

Our global network is like a family. Our motto is “Focus on fun, not fighting”. Though it appears comical, but it’s a real philosophy. Competitors come from globally, and all involved is helpful and motivating. Prior to performing, all participants shows support. Then for one minute you’re able to be free, humorous, the top performer in the world.

I’m also a percussionist and string player in a musical act with my brother called the band name, named after the sports figure, as we’re influenced by UK rock and post-punk. I’ve been serving drinks for a few years now, and I produce mini movies and performance clips. The victory hasn’t altered my routine too much but I’ve been doing a lot of press, and I aspire it leads to more artistic projects. My hometown will be a cultural hub soon, so there are great prospects.

Currently, I’m just grateful: for the network, for the opportunity to play, and for that little kid who picked up a newspaper and thought, “I want to do that.”