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At the age of 10, I came across a feature in my hometown newspaper about the World Air Guitar Competition, held annually every year in my hometown of Oulu, Finland. My parents had participated at the inaugural contest since 1996 – my mother handed out flyers, my dad managed the music. Ever since, country-level contests have been organized globally, with the winners assembling in Oulu every summer.

At the time, I requested permission if I could participate. Initially they had doubts; the competition was in a bar, and there would be a lot of adults. They felt it might be an overwhelming atmosphere, but I was set on it.

As a kid, I was always miming air guitar, acting out to the biggest rock tunes with my invisible instrument. My family were music fans – my dad loved Bruce Springsteen and the Irish rock band. the Australian rockers was the initial group I stumbled upon myself. Angus Young, the guitar hero, was my idol.

As I took the stage, I played my set to AC/DC’s Whole Lotta Rosie. The audience started chanting “Angus”, similar to the concert version, and it hit me: this must be to be a rock star. I reached the championship, performing to a large audience in the public plaza, and I was captivated. I was dubbed “Little Angus” that day.

After that I stopped. I was a referee one year, and kicked off the show another time, but I stayed out of the contest. I went back at 18, tried a few different stage names, but everyone still referred to me as “Little Angus” so I accepted it fully and make “The Angus” as my artist name. I’ve reached the finals every year since 2022, and in 2023 I was the runner-up, so I was determined to claim victory this year.

Our global network is like a close-knit group. The saying we live by is ‘Create music, not conflict’. It may seem funny, but it’s a true ethos.

The event is intense but joyful. Participants have 60 seconds to give everything – high-powered performance, perfect mime, performance charm – on an imaginary instrument. The panel score you on a point range from a specific numeric range. If scores are equal, there’s an “air-off” between the last two competitors: a tune begins and you improvise.

Training is crucial. I picked an the band Avenged Sevenfold song for my act. I had it on repeat for weeks. I did regular stretches, trying to get my limbs prepared enough to jump, my fingers nimble enough to copy riffs and my spine set for those bends and jumps. Once the event dawned, I could feel the song in my being.

After everyone had performed, the scores came in, and I had drawn with the Japanese champion, a competitor known as Sudo-chan – it was occasion for an final showdown. We went head-to-head to Sweet Child o’ Mine by Guns N’ Roses. When I heard the song, I felt relieved because it was a tune I recognized, and more than anything I was so excited to perform one more time. Once the results were read I’d triumphed, the venue exploded.

My memory is blurry. I think I lost consciousness from shock. Then the crowd started performing Neil Young’s that well-known track and hoisted me on to their backs. A former champion – AKA his stage name – a previous titleholder and one of my dear companions, was embracing me. I wept. I was the inaugural from Finland air guitar global winner in 25 years. The previous Finnish champion, the former champion, was in attendance as well. He gave me the warmest embrace and said it was “long overdue”.

This worldwide group is like a close-knit group. Our guiding saying is “Make air, not war”. It sounds silly, but it’s a genuine belief. People come from all over the world, and everyone is positive and uplifting. Before you go on stage, each contestant offers an embrace. Then for a brief period you’re free to be uninhibited, humorous, the top performer in the world.

Besides that, I'm a beat keeper and string player in a group with my family member called the Southgates, named after the football manager, as we’re fans of UK rock and post-punk. I’ve been bartending for a few years now, and I direct short films and song visuals. The title hasn’t altered my routine too much but I’ve been doing a extensive media, and I aspire it leads to more creative work. My hometown will be a European capital of culture soon, so there are exciting things ahead.

For now, I’m just thankful: for the community, for the ability to compete, and for that young child who picked up a newspaper and thought, “I want to do that.”