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Back when I was 10, I read about a story in my community gazette about the Global Air Guitar Contest, held annually every year in my native city of Oulu, Finland. My family had helped out at the very first contest starting from 1996 – mom gave out flyers, dad sorted the music. Ever since, domestic competitions have been organized in many nations, with the champions assembling in Oulu annually.

Initially, I requested permission if I could participate. At first they were hesitant; the competition was in a bar, and there would be many grown-ups. They thought it might be an daunting atmosphere, but I was determined.

As a kid, I was always “playing” air guitar, miming along to the most popular rock tunes with my imaginary instrument. My family were lovers of music – dad loved Springsteen and the Irish rock band. the band AC/DC was the first band I stumbled upon myself. the lead guitarist, the lead guitarist, was my inspiration.

As I took the stage, I performed my act to AC/DC’s that classic track. The crowd started yelling “Angus”, just like the album track, and it dawned on me: so this is to be a music icon. I reached the championship, competing to hundreds of people in Oulu’s market square, and I was captivated. I got the nickname “Little Angus” that day.

Then I took a break. I was a referee one year, and started the show on another occasion, but I stayed out of the contest. I went back at 18, tried a few different stage names, but people kept calling me “Little Angus” so I embraced it and choose “The Angus” as my performance alias. I’ve qualified for the last round every year since 2022, and in 2023 I placed second, so I was determined to win this year.

The air guitar community is like a close-knit group. Our guiding principle is ‘Play air guitar, avoid battles’. It may seem funny, but it’s a genuine belief.

The event is competitive but uplifting. Participants have a short window to deliver maximum effort – high-powered performance, perfect mime, rock star charisma – on an invisible guitar. Adjudicators evaluate you on a grading system from a specific numeric range. If scores are equal, there’s an “showdown” between the remaining participants: a track is selected and you freestyle.

Preparation is everything. I selected an Avenged Sevenfold song for my act. I had it on repeat for weeks. I stretched constantly, trying to get my lower body loose enough to bound, my hands nimble enough to imitate guitar parts and my back set for those moves and leaps. When the big day dawned, I could feel the song in my bones.

After everyone had performed, the scores came in, and I had drawn with the titleholder from Japan, a competitor known as Sudo-chan – it was moment for an final showdown. We competed directly to that classic rock anthem by Guns N’ Roses. Once the track began, I felt relieved because it was familiar to me, and primarily I was so thrilled to have another go. Once the results were read I’d won, the square erupted.

My memory is blurry. I think I lost consciousness from shock. Then everyone started singing Neil Young’s Rockin’ in the Free World and lifted me on to their shoulders. A former champion – alias his performer title – a former champion and one of my closest friends, was holding me. I cried. I was the inaugural from Finland air guitar international titleholder in two and a half decades. The earlier winner from Finland, the earlier victor, was in attendance as well. He bestowed upon me the warmest embrace and said it was “about damn time”.

The air guitar community is like a support system. Our motto is “Focus on fun, not fighting”. It may seem humorous, but it’s a true way of life. People come from many countries, and all involved is supportive and encouraging. Before you go on stage, all participants offers an embrace. Then for 60 seconds you’re free to be yourself, silly, the ultimate music icon in the world.

I’m also a drummer and guitarist in a group with my brother called the Southgates, referencing the sports figure, as we’re fans of UK rock and post-punk. I’ve been serving drinks for a short time, and I create short films and performance clips. Winning hasn’t changed my day-to-day life drastically but I’ve been doing a lot of press, and I hope it brings more artistic projects. Oulu will be a cultural hub soon, so there are exciting things ahead.

At present, I’m just thankful: for the community, for the opportunity to play, and for that budding enthusiast who found a story and thought, “I want to do that.”