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When I was just 10, I discovered a article in my hometown newspaper about the Global Air Guitar Contest, held annually every year in my hometown of Oulu, Finland. Mom and Dad had volunteered at the pioneering contest back in 1996 – my mother distributed flyers, my father organized the music. Since then, domestic competitions have been held globally, with the titleholders gathering in Oulu annually.

Back then, I asked my parents if I could compete. At first they were hesitant; the event was in a bar, and there would be many grown-ups. They thought it might be an overwhelming atmosphere, but I was resolved.

In my youth, I was always performing air guitar, miming along to the iconic rock tunes with my imaginary instrument. Mom and Dad were lovers of music – my father loved Bruce Springsteen and U2. the Australian rockers was the first band I found independently. the guitarist, the lead guitarist, was my hero.

Upon entering the spotlight, I played my set to AC/DC’s Whole Lotta Rosie. The spectators started chanting “Angus”, similar to the album track, and it dawned on me: this must be to be a guitar hero. I made it to the finals, competing to crowds in Oulu’s market square, and I was hooked. I got the nickname “Little Angus” that day.

Later I paused. I was a referee one year, and opened for the show once more, but I stayed out of the contest. I came back at 18, experimented with various stage names, but everyone still referred to me as “Little Angus” so I accepted it fully and make “The Angus” as my performance alias. I’ve reached the finals every year since 2022, and in 2023 I came second, so I was resolved to win this year.

The worldwide group is like a family. The saying we live by is ‘Play air guitar, avoid battles’. It sounds silly, but it’s a real philosophy.

The contest is high-energy yet fun. Competitors have 60 seconds to put their all – explosive energy, perfect mime, stage magnetism – on an invisible guitar. The panel evaluate you on a scale from a specific numeric range. In the case of a tie, there’s an “air-off” between the final two contestants: a song plays and you create on the spot.

Training is crucial. I chose an a metal group song for my routine. I played it repeatedly for a long time. I stretched constantly, trying to get my lower body flexible enough to jump, my fingers nimble enough to imitate guitar parts and my upper body set for those bends and jumps. By the time the big day dawned, I could internalize the track in my being.

Once all acts were done, the results were tallied, and I had drawn with the Japanese champion, a competitor known as Sudo-chan – it was moment for an tiebreaker. We went head-to-head to that classic rock anthem by Guns N’ Roses. As the music started, I felt relieved because it was one that I knew, and above all I was so thrilled to perform one more time. Once the results were read I’d triumphed, the area erupted.

My memory is blurry. I think I zoned out from surprise. Then everyone started singing the classic tune the anthem Rockin' in the Free World and lifted me on to their arms. Justin Howard – alias his stage name – a past winner and one of my closest friends, was holding me. I wept. I was the inaugural from Finland air guitar international titleholder in two and a half decades. The earlier winner from Finland, Markus “Black Raven” Vainionpää, was also present. He gave me the most heartfelt squeeze and said it was “finally happening”.

Our global network is like a support system. The phrase we live by is “Make air, not war”. It sounds silly, but it’s a real philosophy. Competitors come from many countries, and all involved is positive and uplifting. Before you go on stage, all participants comes and hugs you. Then for one minute you’re allowed to be free, silly, the biggest rock star in the world.

I’m also a drummer and guitarist in a group with my brother called the Southgates, named after the football manager, as we’re inspired by British music genres. I’ve been working in bars for a couple of years, and I direct independent videos and performance clips. The title hasn’t changed my day-to-day life drastically but I’ve been doing a extensive media, and I hope it leads to more artistic projects. The city will be a cultural hub the coming year, so there are great prospects.

For now, I’m just thankful: for the group, for the opportunity to play, and for that young child who found a story and thought, “That's for me.”