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When I was just 10, I discovered a article in my community gazette about the Air Guitar World Championships, which take place every year in my hometown of Oulu, Finland. Mom and Dad had volunteered at the very first contest starting from 1996 – mom gave out flyers, dad managed the music. Ever since, domestic competitions have been organized in many nations, with the titleholders gathering in Oulu every summer.

Initially, I requested permission if I could enter. They weren't sure at first; the competition was in a bar, and there would be an older crowd. They felt it might be an daunting atmosphere, but I was determined.

During childhood, I was always miming air guitar, acting out to the iconic rock tunes with my invisible instrument. My parents were music fans – my father loved Bruce Springsteen and the Irish rock band. the Australian rockers was the original act I stumbled upon myself. the guitarist, the frontman guitarist, was my hero.

As I took the stage, I performed my act to the band's that classic track. The crowd started yelling “Angus”, similar to the concert version, and it hit me: this is what it feels like to be a guitar hero. I advanced to the last round, playing to crowds in Oulu’s market square, and I was captivated. I was dubbed “Little Angus” that day.

Then I took a break. I was a adjudicator one year, and opened for the show once more, 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 choose “The Angus” as my stage name. I’ve qualified for the last round annually from 2022 onward, and in 2023 I placed second, so I was set to claim victory this year.

The worldwide group is like a family. The saying we live by is ‘Make air, not war’. It may seem funny, but it’s a true ethos.

The event is intense but joyful. Competitors have one minute to put their all – high-powered performance, perfect mime, performance charm – on an nonexistent axe. Adjudicators score you on a grading system from four to six. If scores are equal, there’s an “tiebreaker” between the final two contestants: a tune begins and you improvise.

Training is crucial. I picked an the band Avenged Sevenfold song for my routine. I played it repeatedly for multiple weeks. I stretched constantly, trying to get my lower body flexible enough to bound, my hands nimble enough to mimic solos and my upper body ready for those moves and leaps. Once competition day dawned, I could feel the song in my being.

After everyone had performed, the results were tallied, and I had drawn with the Japanese champion, a competitor known as Sudo-chan – it was moment for an final showdown. We competed directly to that classic rock anthem by the rock group. Once the track began, I felt comforted because it was one that I knew, and above all I was so thrilled to have another go. When they announced I’d won, the area exploded.

The moment is hazy. I think I lost consciousness from shock. Then everyone started singing Neil Young’s Rockin’ in the Free World and hoisted me on to their arms. A former champion – AKA his performer title – a past winner and one of my best pals, was hugging me. I cried. I was the first Finnish air guitar world champion in a quarter-century. The earlier winner from Finland, the earlier victor, was in attendance as well. He gave me the most heartfelt squeeze and said it was “finally happening”.

The air guitar community is like a family. Our guiding saying is “Focus on fun, not fighting”. Though it appears comical, but it’s a real philosophy. People come from all over the world, and each person is helpful and motivating. As you prepare to compete, every competitor comes and hugs you. Then for one minute you’re allowed to be free, playful, the biggest rock star in the world.

Additionally, I am a percussionist and string player in a band with my brother called the band name, inspired by the football manager, as we’re inspired by Britpop and new wave. I’ve been bartending for a couple of years, and I produce independent videos and song visuals. Winning hasn’t changed my day-to-day life drastically but I’ve been doing a extensive media, and I hope it results in more innovative opportunities. Oulu will be a European capital of culture the coming year, so there are promising opportunities.

Currently, I’m just appreciative: for the group, for the ability to compete, and for that budding enthusiast who picked up a newspaper and thought, “I want to do that.”