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At the age of 10, I read about a story in my local paper about the Global Air Guitar Contest, held annually every year in my birthplace of Oulu, Finland. My parents had participated at the pioneering contest starting from 1996 – mom handed out flyers, dad organized the music. Ever since, domestic competitions have been held globally, with the winners converging in Oulu annually.

Back then, I inquired with my family if I could participate. They weren't sure at first; the show was in a bar, and there would be an older crowd. They believed it might be an overwhelming atmosphere, but I was determined.

As a kid, I was always miming air guitar, miming along to the biggest rock tunes with my make-believe instrument. Mom and Dad were music fans – dad loved Bruce Springsteen and the Irish rock band. the band AC/DC was the first band I stumbled upon myself. the guitarist, the guitar hero, was my inspiration.

When I stepped on stage, I did my routine to AC/DC’s the song Whole Lotta Rosie. The audience started chanting “Angus”, reminiscent of the concert version, and it hit me: this must be to be a guitar hero. I reached the championship, performing to hundreds of people in the town square, and I was addicted. I earned the moniker “Little Angus” that day.

After that I stopped. I was a adjudicator one year, and opened for the show once more, but I didn’t compete. I went back at 18, tested out several stage names, but fans continued using “Little Angus” so I embraced it and adopt “The Angus” as my artist name. I’ve made it to the final each competition since then, and in 2023 I placed second, so I was resolved to win this year.

The air guitar community is like a support system. Our guiding principle is ‘Make air, not war’. Though it appears humorous, but it’s a real philosophy.

The contest is intense but joyful. Participants have one minute to give everything – high-powered performance, perfect mime, stage magnetism – on an imaginary instrument. The panel score you on a point range from four to six. If scores are equal, there’s an “tiebreaker” between the last two competitors: a track is selected and you improvise.

Preparation is everything. I picked an Avenged Sevenfold song for my act. I listened to it on a loop for weeks. I practiced flexibility, trying to get my limbs prepared enough to leap, my fingers fast enough to copy riffs and my upper body set for those moves and leaps. When the big day came, I could feel the song in my soul.

Once all acts were done, the results were tallied, and I had drawn with the winner from Japan, a competitor known as Sudo-chan – it was moment for an final showdown. We faced off to Sweet Child o’ Mine by Guns N’ Roses. As the music started, I felt relieved because it was a tune I recognized, and primarily I was so thrilled to perform one more time. As they declared I’d emerged victorious, the venue exploded.

The moment is hazy. I think I blacked out from shock. Then the crowd started chanting Neil Young’s the anthem Rockin' in the Free World and lifted me on to their arms. Justin Howard – also known as his performer title – a past winner and one of my dear companions, was holding me. I shed tears. I was the inaugural from Finland air guitar world champion in a quarter-century. The previous Finnish champion, the former champion, was there, too. He offered me the most heartfelt squeeze and said it was “about damn time”.

This worldwide group is like a family. The phrase we live by is “Focus on fun, not fighting”. It may seem humorous, but it’s a real philosophy. People come from all over the world, and everyone is supportive and encouraging. As you prepare to compete, all participants comes and hugs you. Then for 60 seconds you’re allowed to be uninhibited, playful, the ultimate music icon in the world.

I’m also a beat keeper and musician in a group with my sibling called the group title, named after the sports figure, as we’re fans of UK rock and post-punk. I’ve been bartending for a few years now, and I direct independent videos and music videos. Winning hasn’t affected my daily activities significantly but I’ve been doing a extensive media, and I wish it leads to more innovative opportunities. My hometown will be a designated cultural center the coming year, so there are great prospects.

Currently, I’m just grateful: for the group, for the opportunity to play, and for that young child who picked up a newspaper and thought, “That's for me.”