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Back when I was 10, I came across a article in my local paper about the Air Guitar World Championships, which take place every year in my native city of Oulu, Finland. Mom and Dad had participated at the pioneering contest back in 1996 – my mother gave out flyers, dad managed the music. Ever since, domestic competitions have been staged in many nations, with the titleholders assembling in Oulu every summer.

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 many grown-ups. They believed it might be an overwhelming atmosphere, but I was set on it.

As a kid, I was always performing air guitar, miming along to the iconic rock tunes with my imaginary instrument. My parents were music fans – dad loved The Boss and U2. the Australian rockers was the original act I found independently. the lead guitarist, the lead guitarist, was my inspiration.

Upon entering the spotlight, I did my routine to the band's the song Whole Lotta Rosie. The crowd started yelling “Angus”, just like the album track, and it dawned on me: so this is to be a rock star. I made it to the finals, competing to hundreds of people in the public plaza, and I was captivated. I got the nickname “Little Angus” that day.

After that I stopped. I was a judge one year, and kicked off 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 choose “The Angus” as my performance alias. I’ve qualified for the last round annually from 2022 onward, and in 2023 I came second, so I was resolved to win this year.

The air guitar community is like a family. The saying we live by is ‘Make air, not war’. It may seem funny, but it’s a real philosophy.

The competition itself is intense but joyful. Participants have 60 seconds to put their all – high-powered performance, precise mimicry, rock star charisma – on an invisible guitar. Adjudicators rate you on a scale from a specific numeric range. If scores are equal, there’s an “tiebreaker” between the last two competitors: a tune begins and you improvise.

Preparation is everything. I picked an a metal group song for my routine. I played it repeatedly for multiple weeks. I practiced flexibility, trying to get my limbs loose enough to bound, my fingers fast enough to mimic solos and my spine set for those moves and leaps. When the event dawned, I could internalize the track in my bones.

When the show concluded, the points were announced, and I had matched with the Japanese champion, Yuta “Sudo-chan” Sudo – it was moment for an tiebreaker. We went head-to-head to that classic rock anthem by the rock group. When I heard the song, I felt comforted because it was one that I knew, and more than anything I was so excited to perform one more time. Once the results were read I’d emerged victorious, the square went wild.

The moment is hazy. I think I lost consciousness from shock. Then everyone started chanting the song that well-known track and hoisted me on to their backs. One of the greats – also known as his stage name – a past winner and one of my dear companions, was hugging me. I cried. I was the inaugural from Finland air guitar global winner in a quarter-century. The earlier winner from Finland, the earlier victor, was also present. He offered me the biggest hug and said it was “long overdue”.

This worldwide group is like a family. The phrase we live by is “Create music, not conflict”. Though it appears comical, but it’s a real philosophy. Participants come from many countries, and everyone is helpful and motivating. As you prepare to compete, all participants shows support. Then for a brief period you’re allowed to be free, humorous, the biggest rock star in the world.

Additionally, I am a beat keeper and guitarist in a musical act with my sibling called the band name, inspired by Gareth Southgate, as we’re fans of British music genres. I’ve been serving drinks for a short time, and I direct mini movies and music videos. The title hasn’t changed my day-to-day life drastically but I’ve been doing a lot of press, and I hope it brings more creative work. Oulu will be a designated cultural center soon, so there are promising opportunities.

Currently, I’m just grateful: for the network, for the chance to perform, and for that young child who read an article and thought, “That's for me.”