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At the age of 10, I discovered a story in my hometown newspaper about the Air Guitar World Championships, which take place every year in my hometown of Oulu, Finland. My family had volunteered at the inaugural contest back in 1996 – my mother handed out flyers, my father sorted the music. From that point, national championships have been organized globally, with the champions converging in Oulu each August.

At the time, I asked my parents if I could enter. Initially they had doubts; the event was in a bar, and there would be a lot of adults. They thought it might be an daunting atmosphere, but I was set on it.

As a kid, I was always “playing” air guitar, pretending to play to the iconic rock tunes with my imaginary instrument. My family were music fans – my dad loved Springsteen and U2. AC/DC was the initial group I stumbled upon myself. the guitarist, the guitar hero, was my inspiration.

Upon entering the spotlight, I did my routine to AC/DC’s the song Whole Lotta Rosie. The spectators started shouting “Angus”, reminiscent of the album track, and it hit me: this is what it feels like to be a music icon. I advanced to the last round, competing to a large audience in the town square, and I was addicted. I earned the moniker “Little Angus” that day.

Later I paused. I was a referee one year, and started the show another time, but I didn’t compete. I went back at 18, experimented with various stage names, but everyone still referred to me as “Little Angus” so I embraced it and make “The Angus” as my performance alias. I’ve reached the finals each competition since then, and in 2023 I placed second, so I was resolved to take the title this year.

Our global network is like a family. Our guiding principle is ‘Play air guitar, avoid battles’. It may seem funny, but it’s a true ethos.

The contest is intense but joyful. Participants have a short window to deliver maximum effort – dynamic presence, precise mimicry, stage magnetism – on an invisible guitar. 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 remaining participants: a track is selected and you create on the spot.

Training is crucial. I picked an Avenged Sevenfold song for my act. I had it on repeat for a long time. I stretched constantly, trying to get my legs prepared enough to jump, my fingers quick enough to imitate guitar parts and my back prepared for those moves and leaps. When the event dawned, I could internalize the track in my soul.

Once all acts were done, the results were tallied, and I had tied with the titleholder from Japan, Yuta “Sudo-chan” Sudo – it was moment for an tiebreaker. We competed directly to Sweet Child o’ Mine by Guns N’ Roses. Once the track began, I felt at ease because it was a tune I recognized, and above all I was so excited to have another go. When they announced I’d won, the square went wild.

The moment is hazy. I think I zoned out from surprise. Then the crowd started singing Neil Young’s the anthem Rockin' in the Free World and lifted me on to their shoulders. One of the greats – alias Nordic Thunder – a past winner and one of my closest friends, was hugging me. I cried. I was Finland’s first air guitar world champion in two and a half decades. The previous Finnish champion, Markus “Black Raven” Vainionpää, was in attendance as well. He offered me the most heartfelt squeeze and said it was “long overdue”.

The air guitar community is like a support system. Our guiding saying is “Make air, not war”. It sounds silly, but it’s a real philosophy. Competitors come from all over the world, and everyone is helpful and motivating. Before you go on stage, all participants shows support. Then for one minute you’re able to be uninhibited, silly, the ultimate music icon in the world.

I’m also a drummer and guitarist in a musical act with my sibling called the band name, named after the sports figure, as we’re influenced by UK rock and post-punk. I’ve been bartending for a short time, and I direct independent videos and performance clips. Winning hasn’t altered my routine drastically but I’ve been doing a extensive media, and I aspire it results in more creative work. My hometown will be a cultural hub next year, so there are great prospects.

For now, I’m just grateful: for the group, for the chance to perform, and for that budding enthusiast who found a story and thought, “I want to do that.”