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At the age of 10, I read about a article in my local paper about the Global Air Guitar Contest, held annually every year in my hometown of Oulu, Finland. Mom and Dad had helped out at the inaugural contest starting from 1996 – my mother handed out flyers, dad managed the music. From that point, national championships have been staged globally, with the titleholders converging in Oulu every summer.

Back then, I inquired with my family if I could compete. They weren't sure at first; the event was in a bar, and there would be an older crowd. They felt it might be an daunting atmosphere, but I was set on it.

As a kid, I was always miming air guitar, pretending to play to the iconic rock tunes with my invisible instrument. My family were music fans – dad loved Bruce Springsteen and the Irish rock band. AC/DC was the initial group I discovered on my own. the guitarist, the lead guitarist, was my idol.

When I stepped on stage, I did my routine to the band's Whole Lotta Rosie. The audience started shouting “Angus”, reminiscent of the album track, and it dawned on me: this is what it feels like to be a music icon. I reached the championship, playing to a large audience in the public plaza, and I was hooked. I earned the moniker “Little Angus” that day.

Later I paused. I was a referee one year, and opened for the show once more, but I didn't participate. I returned at 18, tried a few different stage names, but people kept calling me “Little Angus” so I accepted it fully and adopt “The Angus” as my artist name. 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.

The worldwide group is like a family. Our guiding principle is ‘Make air, not war’. It may seem funny, but it’s a real philosophy.

The competition itself is competitive but uplifting. Contestants have a short window to deliver maximum effort – high-powered performance, flawless imitation, stage magnetism – on an invisible guitar. The panel rate you on a scale from 4.0 to 6.0. In the case of a tie, there’s an “tiebreaker” between the last two competitors: a tune begins and you improvise.

Training is crucial. I selected an Avenged Sevenfold song for my act. I listened to it on a loop for weeks. I did regular stretches, trying to get my legs loose enough to leap, my fingers fast enough to imitate guitar parts and my back set for those bends and jumps. Once the big day came, I could feel the song in my being.

When the show concluded, the scores came in, and I had drawn with the Japanese champion, Yuta “Sudo-chan” Sudo – it was moment for an air-off. We competed directly to the Guns N’ Roses hit by the rock group. When I heard the song, I felt comforted because it was a tune I recognized, and more than anything I was so eager to play again. Once the results were read I’d won, the venue exploded.

My memory is blurry. I think I zoned out from surprise. Then the crowd started chanting Neil Young’s Rockin’ in the Free World and raised me up on to their shoulders. Justin Howard – also known as his performer title – a past winner and one of my best pals, was holding me. I wept. I was Finland’s first air guitar global winner in two and a half decades. The earlier winner from Finland, the former champion, was in attendance as well. He bestowed upon me the biggest hug and said it was “about damn time”.

The air guitar community is like a close-knit group. Our motto is “Make air, not war”. It sounds silly, but it’s a genuine belief. People come from many countries, and all involved is supportive and encouraging. As you prepare to compete, all participants shows support. Then for a brief period you’re able to be free, playful, the ultimate music icon in the world.

I’m also a drummer and guitarist in a band with my sibling called the band name, referencing the football manager, as we’re influenced by UK rock and post-punk. I’ve been working in bars for a couple of years, and I produce mini movies and music videos. The title hasn’t changed my day-to-day life significantly but I’ve been doing a many interviews, and I aspire it results in more artistic projects. Oulu will be a designated cultural center soon, so there are exciting things ahead.

At present, I’m just thankful: for the group, for the ability to compete, and for that little kid who picked up a newspaper and thought, “I want to do that.”