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When I was just 10, I came across a article in my hometown newspaper about the Global Air Guitar Contest, that happens every year in my native city of Oulu, Finland. My parents had volunteered at the inaugural contest starting from 1996 – mom handed out flyers, dad sorted 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 compete. Initially they had doubts; the event was in a bar, and there would be a lot of adults. They felt it might be an overwhelming atmosphere, but I was determined.

As a kid, I was always miming air guitar, pretending to play to the iconic rock tunes with my make-believe instrument. My parents were music fans – my dad loved Bruce Springsteen and U2. the Australian rockers was the original act I stumbled upon myself. the lead guitarist, the lead guitarist, was my hero.

Upon entering the spotlight, I performed my act to AC/DC’s the song Whole Lotta Rosie. The crowd started shouting “Angus”, just like the album track, and it dawned on me: so this is to be a rock star. I advanced to the last round, playing to a large audience in Oulu’s market square, and I was hooked. I got the nickname “Little Angus” that day.

Later I paused. I was a judge one year, and opened for the show on another occasion, but I didn’t compete. I returned at 18, tried a few different 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 each competition since then, and in 2023 I placed second, so I was resolved to take the title this year.

Our global network is like a close-knit group. Our guiding principle is ‘Play air guitar, avoid battles’. It may seem funny, but it’s a true ethos.

The competition itself is intense but joyful. Participants have a short window to deliver maximum effort – high-powered performance, perfect mime, stage magnetism – on an invisible guitar. Judges rate you on a grading system from four to six. When it's a draw, there’s an “tiebreaker” between the final two contestants: a track is selected and you freestyle.

Getting ready is key. I picked an a metal group song for my act. I had it on repeat for weeks. I did regular stretches, trying to get my limbs flexible enough to bound, my fingers quick enough to mimic solos and my back ready for those moves and leaps. By the time competition day dawned, I could internalize the track in my bones.

After everyone had performed, the results were tallied, and I had drawn with the titleholder from Japan, a competitor known as Sudo-chan – it was occasion for an air-off. We faced off to Sweet Child o’ Mine by the rock group. Once the track began, I felt relieved because it was familiar to me, and more than anything I was so excited to play again. When they announced I’d triumphed, the venue erupted.

It's all a bit fuzzy. I think I lost consciousness from surprise. Then the crowd started singing the classic tune the anthem Rockin' in the Free World and raised me up on to their arms. A former champion – AKA his performer title – a past winner and one of my closest friends, was holding me. I shed tears. I was Finland’s first air guitar global winner in 25 years. The earlier winner from Finland, Markus “Black Raven” Vainionpää, was also present. He gave me the most heartfelt squeeze and said it was “long overdue”.

The air guitar community is like a family. Our motto is “Create music, not conflict”. It may seem humorous, but it’s a real philosophy. People come from all over the world, and each person is positive and uplifting. Prior to performing, all participants shows support. Then for one minute you’re free to be free, humorous, the ultimate music icon in the world.

I’m also a percussionist and guitarist in a band with my family member called the group title, inspired by Gareth Southgate, as we’re influenced by British music genres. I’ve been serving drinks for a few years now, and I direct short films and music videos. The victory hasn’t affected my daily activities drastically but I’ve been doing a extensive media, and I aspire it brings more creative work. The city will be a European capital of culture soon, so there are exciting things ahead.

At present, I’m just appreciative: for the network, for the opportunity to play, and for that budding enthusiast who read an article and thought, “That's for me.”