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Back when I was 10, I came across a article in my community gazette about the Air Guitar World Championships, that happens every year in my hometown of Oulu, Finland. My family had participated at the pioneering contest starting from 1996 – mom handed out flyers, dad sorted the music. Ever since, domestic competitions have been held in many nations, with the winners converging in Oulu every summer.

Initially, I requested permission if I could enter. They weren't sure at first; the competition was in a bar, and there would be a lot of adults. They felt it might be an daunting atmosphere, but I was resolved.

In my youth, I was always performing air guitar, acting out to the iconic rock tunes with my imaginary instrument. Mom and Dad were music fans – my father loved Bruce Springsteen and U2. the Australian rockers was the first band I stumbled upon myself. the guitarist, the guitar hero, was my hero.

When I stepped on stage, I played my set to the band's the song Whole Lotta Rosie. The audience started yelling “Angus”, just like the concert version, and it struck me: this is what it feels like to be a guitar hero. I made it to the finals, performing to hundreds of people in the town square, and I was hooked. I was dubbed “Little Angus” that day.

Then I took a break. I was a judge one year, and opened for the show once more, but I stayed out of the contest. I came back at 18, experimented with various stage names, but fans continued using “Little Angus” so I accepted it fully and make “The Angus” as my performance alias. I’ve qualified for the last round every year since 2022, and in 2023 I was the runner-up, so I was resolved to claim victory this year.

The worldwide group is like a family. The saying we live by is ‘Play air guitar, avoid battles’. It sounds silly, but it’s a real philosophy.

The contest is intense but joyful. Competitors have one minute to put their all – dynamic presence, precise mimicry, performance charm – on an invisible guitar. Adjudicators score you on a scale from 4.0 to 6.0. If scores are equal, there’s an “air-off” between the remaining participants: a song plays and you improvise.

Preparation is everything. I picked an a metal group song for my act. I listened to it on a loop for multiple weeks. I practiced flexibility, trying to get my limbs flexible enough to bound, my digits fast enough to copy riffs and my back set for those moves and leaps. When the big day dawned, I could feel the song in my soul.

When the show concluded, the points were announced, and I had drawn with the winner from Japan, the Japanese titleholder – it was occasion for an tiebreaker. We went head-to-head to Sweet Child o’ Mine by Guns N’ Roses. When I heard the song, I felt comforted because it was a tune I recognized, and above all I was so thrilled to perform one more time. As they declared I’d triumphed, the square erupted.

My memory is blurry. I think I blacked out from surprise. Then the crowd started chanting Neil Young’s that well-known track and lifted me on to their backs. A former champion – AKA his stage name – a former champion and one of my closest friends, was holding me. I wept. I was Finland’s first air guitar international titleholder in 25 years. The prior titleholder, the earlier victor, was there, too. He bestowed upon me the most heartfelt squeeze and said it was “finally happening”.

The air guitar community is like a close-knit group. The phrase we live by is “Create music, not conflict”. It sounds silly, but it’s a true way of life. Competitors come from many countries, and all involved is positive and uplifting. Prior to performing, all participants offers an embrace. Then for 60 seconds you’re free to be uninhibited, humorous, the biggest rock star in the world.

Additionally, I am a percussionist and string player in a musical act with my brother called the band name, named after Gareth Southgate, as we’re inspired by Britpop and new wave. I’ve been bartending for a few years now, and I direct independent videos and performance clips. Winning hasn’t changed my day-to-day life too much but I’ve been doing a extensive media, and I hope it results in more innovative opportunities. My hometown will be a European capital of culture soon, so there are great prospects.

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