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Back when I was 10, I discovered a story in my community gazette about the World Air Guitar Competition, held annually every year in my hometown of Oulu, Finland. Mom and Dad had helped out at the inaugural contest back in 1996 – mom distributed flyers, my dad sorted the music. Since then, national championships have been staged all across the world, with the winners assembling in Oulu annually.

Initially, I requested permission if I could enter. They weren't sure at first; the show was in a bar, and there would be many grown-ups. They felt it might be an intimidating atmosphere, but I was set on it.

As a kid, I was always miming air guitar, miming along to the iconic rock tunes with my invisible instrument. Mom and Dad were lovers of music – my dad loved Bruce Springsteen and the Irish rock band. AC/DC was the first band I stumbled upon myself. the guitarist, the guitar hero, was my idol.

Upon entering the spotlight, I played my set to the band's Whole Lotta Rosie. The crowd started yelling “Angus”, just like the concert version, and it hit me: this is what it feels like to be a guitar hero. I made it to the finals, competing to a large audience in Oulu’s market square, and I was captivated. I earned the moniker “Little Angus” that day.

After that I stopped. I was a judge one year, and opened for the show once more, but I didn't participate. I went back at 18, tried a few different stage names, but fans continued using “Little Angus” so I accepted it fully and adopt “The Angus” as my performance alias. I’ve qualified for the last round each competition since then, and in 2023 I was the runner-up, so I was resolved to win this year.

Our global network is like a support system. Our guiding principle is ‘Create music, not conflict’. It may seem funny, but it’s a genuine belief.

The contest is competitive but uplifting. Competitors have a short window to deliver maximum effort – explosive energy, precise mimicry, stage magnetism – on an nonexistent axe. Adjudicators score you on a scale from four to six. If scores are equal, there’s an “air-off” between the remaining participants: a tune begins and you create on the spot.

Getting ready is key. I picked an a metal group song for my performance. I played it repeatedly for a long time. I stretched constantly, trying to get my legs loose enough to leap, my digits fast enough to copy riffs and my upper body prepared for those gestures and hops. Once competition day came, I could sense the music in my bones.

Once all acts were done, the points were announced, and I had tied with the titleholder from Japan, the Japanese titleholder – it was time for an air-off. We faced off to Sweet Child o’ Mine by the rock group. As the music started, I felt relieved because it was one that I knew, and above all I was so thrilled to play again. Once the results were read I’d emerged victorious, the square exploded.

My memory is blurry. I think I lost consciousness from the excitement. Then everyone started performing Neil Young’s Rockin’ in the Free World and lifted me on to their arms. A former champion – AKA Nordic Thunder – a previous titleholder and one of my dear companions, was hugging me. I cried. I was the first Finnish air guitar global winner in two and a half decades. The earlier winner from Finland, the earlier victor, was in attendance as well. He bestowed upon me the most heartfelt squeeze and said it was “long overdue”.

The air guitar community is like a support system. The phrase we live by is “Create music, not conflict”. It sounds silly, but it’s a true way of life. People come from globally, and everyone is positive and uplifting. As you prepare to compete, each contestant comes and hugs you. Then for one minute you’re able to be uninhibited, humorous, the ultimate music icon in the world.

I’m also a percussionist and musician in a group with my sibling called the group title, inspired by Gareth Southgate, as we’re fans of British music genres. I’ve been serving drinks for a couple of years, and I direct independent videos and music videos. The victory hasn’t altered my routine too much but I’ve been doing a many interviews, and I aspire it brings more artistic projects. Oulu will be a designated cultural center the coming year, so there are promising opportunities.

Currently, I’m just appreciative: for the network, for the ability to compete, and for that little kid who picked up a newspaper and thought, “I'd love to try that.”