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Back when I was 10, I came across a article in my local paper about the World Air Guitar Competition, which take place every year in my birthplace of Oulu, Finland. My family had volunteered at the very first contest starting from 1996 – my mother gave out flyers, dad organized the music. Since then, domestic competitions have been organized in many nations, with the titleholders converging in Oulu every summer.

At the time, I requested permission if I could enter. Initially they had doubts; the event was in a bar, and there would be many grown-ups. They felt it might be an intimidating atmosphere, but I was determined.

As a kid, I was always miming air guitar, miming along to the most popular rock tunes with my make-believe instrument. Mom and Dad were lovers of music – dad loved Bruce Springsteen and U2. the Australian rockers was the initial group I found independently. the guitarist, the guitar hero, was my inspiration.

As I took the stage, I did my routine to AC/DC’s the song Whole Lotta Rosie. The crowd started chanting “Angus”, just like the live recording, and it dawned on me: this is what it feels like to be a guitar hero. I advanced to the last round, playing to hundreds of people in the public plaza, and I was captivated. I earned the moniker “Little Angus” that day.

Later I paused. I was a judge one year, and started the show once more, but I didn’t compete. I went back at 18, tested out several stage names, but everyone still referred to me as “Little Angus” so I accepted it fully and make “The Angus” as my stage name. I’ve qualified for the last round each competition since then, and in 2023 I was the runner-up, so I was resolved to claim victory this year.

Our global network is like a family. The saying we live by is ‘Make air, not war’. Though it appears humorous, but it’s a real philosophy.

The competition itself is intense but joyful. Contestants have one minute to put their all – high-powered performance, perfect mime, stage magnetism – on an invisible guitar. Adjudicators evaluate you on a grading system from four to six. If scores are equal, there’s an “air-off” between the remaining participants: a track is selected and you freestyle.

Getting ready is key. I chose an a metal group song for my act. I listened to it on a loop for weeks. I did regular stretches, trying to get my limbs loose enough to bound, my fingers quick enough to imitate guitar parts and my spine prepared for those moves and leaps. Once the event came, I could internalize the track in my soul.

Once all acts were done, the points were announced, and I had drawn with the Japanese champion, the Japanese titleholder – it was time for an final showdown. We went head-to-head to the Guns N’ Roses hit by the rock group. As the music started, I felt at ease because it was familiar to me, and primarily I was so eager to play again. When they announced I’d triumphed, the area went wild.

The moment is hazy. I think I lost consciousness from surprise. Then everyone started singing the song that well-known track and lifted me on to their backs. One of the greats – AKA his stage name – a previous titleholder and one of my dear companions, was holding me. I cried. I was the first Finnish air guitar international titleholder in two and a half decades. The previous Finnish champion, Markus “Black Raven” Vainionpää, was there, too. He gave me the biggest hug and said it was “about damn time”.

The air guitar community is like a support system. The phrase we live by is “Create music, not conflict”. It sounds silly, but it’s a true way of life. People come from all over the world, and each person is supportive and encouraging. Before you go on stage, all participants comes and hugs you. Then for one minute you’re allowed to be uninhibited, playful, the biggest rock star in the world.

I’m also a beat keeper and string player in a musical act with my brother called the group title, named after Gareth Southgate, as we’re influenced by UK rock and post-punk. I’ve been serving drinks for a few years now, and I create short films and song visuals. The victory hasn’t affected my daily activities drastically but I’ve been doing a lot of press, and I wish it leads to more creative work. Oulu will be a cultural hub the coming year, so there are promising opportunities.

For now, I’m just grateful: for the network, for the chance to perform, and for that budding enthusiast who found a story and thought, “I want to do that.”