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At the age of 10, I came across a feature in my local paper about the World Air Guitar Competition, held annually every year in my hometown of Oulu, Finland. My family had helped out at the pioneering contest starting from 1996 – mom gave out flyers, my dad managed the music. Ever since, domestic competitions have been organized all across the world, with the winners gathering in Oulu annually.

Back then, I inquired with my family if I could compete. Initially they had doubts; the show was in a bar, and there would be a lot of adults. They thought it might be an intimidating atmosphere, but I was set on it.

In my youth, I was always performing air guitar, miming along to the iconic rock tunes with my make-believe instrument. My family were music fans – my father loved Springsteen and the Irish rock band. AC/DC was the first band I stumbled upon myself. the lead guitarist, the frontman guitarist, was my inspiration.

When I stepped on stage, I played my set to the band's that classic track. The audience started yelling “Angus”, reminiscent of the concert version, and it struck me: this must be to be a rock star. I advanced to the last round, playing to crowds in Oulu’s market square, and I was captivated. I was dubbed “Little Angus” that day.

Then I took a break. I was a judge one year, and opened for the show on another occasion, but I didn’t compete. I returned at 18, experimented with various stage names, but people kept calling me “Little Angus” so I accepted it fully and adopt “The Angus” as my performance alias. I’ve reached the finals annually from 2022 onward, and in 2023 I was the runner-up, so I was resolved to claim victory this year.

The worldwide group is like a close-knit group. Our guiding principle is ‘Make air, not war’. Though it appears humorous, but it’s a genuine belief.

The contest is competitive but uplifting. Competitors have 60 seconds to give everything – explosive energy, precise mimicry, rock star charisma – on an nonexistent axe. Judges score you on a scale from a specific numeric range. In the case of a tie, there’s an “tiebreaker” between the remaining participants: a tune begins and you improvise.

Getting ready is key. I picked an Avenged Sevenfold song for my performance. I listened to it on a loop for weeks. I stretched constantly, trying to get my legs flexible enough to leap, my digits nimble enough to imitate guitar parts and my upper body ready for those gestures and hops. Once the event came, I could feel the song in my bones.

After everyone had performed, the scores came in, and I had tied with the titleholder from Japan, the Japanese titleholder – it was time for an tiebreaker. We went head-to-head to that classic rock anthem by the rock group. As the music started, I felt relieved because it was familiar to me, and more than anything I was so excited to play again. Once the results were read I’d won, the square erupted.

The moment is hazy. I think I blacked out from the excitement. Then everyone started singing the song the anthem Rockin' in the Free World and raised me up on to their shoulders. Justin Howard – AKA his stage name – a past winner and one of my best pals, was holding me. I shed tears. I was the first Finnish air guitar world champion in a quarter-century. The earlier winner from Finland, the earlier victor, was in attendance as well. He gave me the warmest embrace and said it was “finally happening”.

The air guitar community is like a support system. Our guiding saying is “Make air, not war”. It sounds silly, but it’s a real philosophy. People come from globally, and everyone is helpful and motivating. Before you go on stage, each contestant shows support. Then for 60 seconds you’re free to be uninhibited, silly, the biggest rock star in the world.

Besides that, I'm a beat keeper and guitarist in a group with my sibling called the group title, referencing Gareth Southgate, as we’re inspired by British music genres. I’ve been bartending for a few years now, and I create independent videos and song visuals. The victory hasn’t changed my day-to-day life drastically but I’ve been doing a many interviews, and I hope it leads to more innovative opportunities. My hometown will be a European capital of culture the coming year, so there are promising opportunities.

At present, I’m just grateful: for the community, for the ability to compete, and for that young child who found a story and thought, “I'd love to try that.”