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Back when I was 10, I came across a story in my hometown newspaper about the Air Guitar World Championships, that happens every year in my hometown of Oulu, Finland. My family had volunteered at the pioneering contest since 1996 – my mother gave out flyers, dad sorted the music. Ever since, country-level contests have been organized all across the world, with the titleholders converging in Oulu each August.

At the time, I asked my parents if I could participate. At first they were hesitant; the competition was in a bar, and there would be many grown-ups. They believed it might be an daunting atmosphere, but I was resolved.

As a kid, I was always performing air guitar, pretending to play to the iconic rock tunes with my make-believe instrument. My parents were lovers of music – dad loved Bruce Springsteen and the Irish rock band. AC/DC was the initial group I discovered on my own. the lead guitarist, the lead guitarist, was my hero.

Upon entering the spotlight, I did my routine to AC/DC’s that classic track. The crowd started yelling “Angus”, just like the concert version, and it hit me: this must be to be a guitar hero. I advanced to the last round, competing to a large audience in the public plaza, and I was captivated. I was dubbed “Little Angus” that day.

Then I took a break. I was a adjudicator one year, and kicked off the show on another occasion, but I didn’t compete. I came back at 18, tested out several stage names, but everyone still referred to me as “Little Angus” so I accepted it fully and adopt “The Angus” as my stage name. I’ve made it to the final each competition since then, and in 2023 I placed second, so I was determined to claim victory this year.

Our global network is like a family. The saying we live by is ‘Create music, not conflict’. It sounds silly, but it’s a true ethos.

The contest is high-energy yet fun. Participants have one minute to put their all – high-powered performance, precise mimicry, rock star charisma – on an invisible guitar. Adjudicators score you on a grading system from four to six. In the case of a tie, there’s an “showdown” between the remaining participants: a track is selected and you improvise.

Getting ready is key. I picked an the band Avenged Sevenfold song for my performance. I listened to it on a loop for a long time. I stretched constantly, trying to get my lower body loose enough to jump, my hands fast enough to mimic solos and my upper body set for those bends and jumps. When the event arrived, I could sense the music in my bones.

When the show concluded, the scores came in, and I had drawn with the Japanese champion, Yuta “Sudo-chan” Sudo – it was moment for an final showdown. We went head-to-head to that classic rock anthem by Guns N’ Roses. When I heard the song, I felt relieved because it was one that I knew, and above all I was so thrilled to perform one more time. When they announced I’d triumphed, the venue went wild.

It's all a bit fuzzy. I think I zoned out from shock. Then all present started singing Neil Young’s Rockin’ in the Free World and lifted me on to their arms. Justin Howard – alias Nordic Thunder – a past winner and one of my dear companions, was holding me. I shed tears. I was the inaugural from Finland air guitar international titleholder in two and a half decades. The previous Finnish champion, the earlier victor, was there, too. He offered me the biggest hug and said it was “about damn time”.

The air guitar community is like a close-knit group. Our guiding saying is “Make air, not war”. It sounds silly, but it’s a genuine belief. Participants come from globally, and each person is helpful and motivating. Before you go on stage, all participants offers an embrace. Then for one minute you’re free to be uninhibited, silly, the top performer in the world.

Additionally, I am a beat keeper and string player in a band with my brother called the band name, referencing the football manager, as we’re fans of British music genres. I’ve been working in bars for a short time, and I create mini movies and performance clips. The victory hasn’t affected my daily activities drastically but I’ve been doing a lot of press, and I aspire it brings more creative work. The city will be a designated cultural center next year, so there are promising opportunities.

Currently, I’m just appreciative: 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.”