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Back when I was 10, I read about a article in my community gazette about the World Air Guitar Competition, which take place every year in my native city of Oulu, Finland. Mom and Dad had helped out at the inaugural contest back in 1996 – my mum gave out flyers, my father sorted the music. Since then, country-level contests have been organized all across the world, with the champions assembling in Oulu every summer.

Initially, I requested permission if I could participate. Initially they had doubts; the show was in a bar, and there would be many grown-ups. They believed it might be an intimidating atmosphere, but I was determined.

During childhood, I was always “playing” air guitar, acting out to the iconic rock tunes with my imaginary instrument. Mom and Dad were music fans – dad loved Springsteen and the Irish rock band. the Australian rockers was the original act I discovered on my own. the guitarist, the guitar hero, was my idol.

Upon entering the spotlight, I performed my act to the band's Whole Lotta Rosie. The crowd started chanting “Angus”, reminiscent of the live recording, and it hit me: this is what it feels like to be a music icon. I advanced to the last round, performing to hundreds of people in the town square, and I was captivated. I earned the moniker “Little Angus” that day.

Then I took a break. I was a judge one year, and started the show another time, but I didn't participate. I returned at 18, tested out several 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 made it to the final every year since 2022, and in 2023 I placed second, so I was resolved to claim victory this year.

The air guitar community is like a support system. The saying we live by is ‘Create music, not conflict’. It sounds silly, but it’s a true ethos.

The contest is intense but joyful. Competitors have one minute to give everything – high-powered performance, precise mimicry, stage magnetism – on an nonexistent axe. Judges score you on a point range from 4.0 to 6.0. When it's a draw, there’s an “tiebreaker” between the final two contestants: a track is selected and you create on the spot.

Preparation is everything. I picked an Avenged Sevenfold song for my performance. I played it repeatedly for a long time. I did regular stretches, trying to get my lower body flexible enough to leap, my digits nimble enough to imitate guitar parts and my back ready for those bends and jumps. By the time competition day dawned, I could feel the song in my being.

Once all acts were done, the results were tallied, and I had tied with the winner from Japan, Yuta “Sudo-chan” Sudo – it was occasion for an tiebreaker. We faced off to the Guns N’ Roses hit by the rock group. Once the track began, I felt relieved because it was a tune I recognized, and primarily I was so eager to play again. As they declared I’d won, the square erupted.

It's all a bit fuzzy. I think I lost consciousness from the excitement. Then all present started chanting the classic tune the anthem Rockin' in the Free World and lifted me on to their backs. A former champion – AKA Nordic Thunder – a former champion and one of my best pals, was embracing me. I shed tears. I was Finland’s first air guitar global winner in two and a half decades. The previous Finnish champion, the former champion, was also present. He bestowed upon me the biggest hug and said it was “finally happening”.

This worldwide group is like a support system. Our motto is “Focus on fun, not fighting”. It may seem humorous, but it’s a real philosophy. People come from all over the world, and each person is supportive and encouraging. Before you go on stage, all participants offers an embrace. Then for one minute you’re able to be uninhibited, humorous, the biggest rock star in the world.

Besides that, I'm a beat keeper and musician in a band with my family member called the Southgates, inspired by the sports figure, as we’re fans of UK rock and post-punk. I’ve been serving drinks for a few years now, and I create independent videos and performance clips. Winning hasn’t altered my routine too much but I’ve been doing a extensive media, and I wish it brings more innovative opportunities. My hometown will be a designated cultural center the coming year, so there are promising opportunities.

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