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At the age of 10, I read about a article in my local paper about the Global Air Guitar Contest, that happens every year in my native city of Oulu, Finland. My family had participated at the pioneering contest since 1996 – my mum handed out flyers, my dad organized the music. From that point, national championships have been staged globally, with the titleholders assembling in Oulu annually.

At the time, I asked my parents if I could participate. They weren't sure at first; the competition was in a bar, and there would be an older crowd. They thought it might be an daunting atmosphere, but I was set on it.

In my youth, I was always miming air guitar, acting out to the biggest rock tunes with my imaginary instrument. My family were enthusiasts – my father loved Springsteen and U2. the Australian rockers was the initial group I stumbled upon myself. Angus Young, the guitar hero, was my inspiration.

As I took the stage, I performed my act to the band's Whole Lotta Rosie. The crowd started chanting “Angus”, similar to the album track, and it dawned on me: so this is to be a guitar hero. I made it to the finals, competing to crowds in Oulu’s market square, and I was addicted. I was dubbed “Little Angus” that day.

After that I stopped. I was a judge one year, and opened for the show another time, but I didn’t compete. I returned at 18, experimented with various stage names, but people kept calling me “Little Angus” so I embraced it and make “The Angus” as my performance alias. I’ve qualified for the last round every year since 2022, and in 2023 I was the runner-up, so I was set to win this year.

The air guitar community is like a support system. The saying we live by is ‘Play air guitar, avoid battles’. It sounds silly, but it’s a genuine belief.

The contest is competitive but uplifting. Participants have 60 seconds to give everything – dynamic presence, flawless imitation, stage magnetism – on an invisible guitar. Judges score you on a scale from 4.0 to 6.0. If scores are equal, there’s an “tiebreaker” between the final two contestants: a tune begins and you freestyle.

Training is crucial. I chose an the band Avenged Sevenfold song for my act. I had it on repeat for multiple weeks. I stretched constantly, trying to get my legs prepared enough to bound, my hands quick enough to mimic solos and my spine prepared for those moves and leaps. When the big day arrived, I could feel the song in my soul.

After everyone had performed, the points were announced, and I had drawn with the titleholder from Japan, a competitor known as Sudo-chan – it was time for an air-off. We competed directly to the Guns N’ Roses hit by the rock group. Once the track began, I felt comforted because it was one that I knew, and primarily I was so thrilled to have another go. As they declared I’d won, the venue erupted.

It's all a bit fuzzy. I think I lost consciousness from surprise. Then everyone started chanting Neil Young’s Rockin’ in the Free World and raised me up on to their backs. One of the greats – also known as his performer title – a past winner and one of my dear companions, was embracing me. I cried. I was the first Finnish air guitar world champion in two and a half decades. The prior titleholder, the former champion, was in attendance as well. He bestowed upon me the most heartfelt squeeze and said it was “long overdue”.

Our global network is like a support system. The phrase we live by is “Focus on fun, not fighting”. It sounds silly, but it’s a genuine belief. Competitors come from many countries, and each person is supportive and encouraging. Prior to performing, each contestant shows support. Then for one minute you’re able to be uninhibited, silly, the biggest rock star in the world.

I’m also a percussionist and musician in a musical act with my sibling called the group title, inspired by the football manager, as we’re inspired by British music genres. I’ve been serving drinks for a short time, and I produce short films and performance clips. The victory hasn’t altered my routine drastically but I’ve been doing a extensive media, and I aspire it brings more innovative opportunities. Oulu will be a designated cultural center the coming year, so there are promising opportunities.

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