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When I was just 10, I read about a article in my local paper about the Air Guitar World Championships, which take place every year in my birthplace of Oulu, Finland. My parents had participated at the inaugural contest back in 1996 – my mother handed out flyers, my dad managed the music. Ever since, national championships have been held in many nations, with the champions gathering 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 determined.

In my youth, I was always “playing” air guitar, acting out to the iconic rock tunes with my invisible instrument. My family were lovers of music – my dad loved Bruce Springsteen and the Irish rock band. the band AC/DC was the initial group I discovered on my own. Angus Young, the lead guitarist, was my idol.

Upon entering the spotlight, I performed my act to the band's Whole Lotta Rosie. The spectators started chanting “Angus”, similar to the concert version, and it hit me: this must be to be a music icon. I reached the championship, performing to crowds in the town square, and I was addicted. I earned the moniker “Little Angus” that day.

Later I paused. I was a adjudicator one year, and opened for the show another time, but I didn't participate. I went back at 18, experimented with various stage names, but fans continued using “Little Angus” so I embraced it and adopt “The Angus” as my artist name. I’ve made it to the final each competition since then, and in 2023 I placed second, so I was resolved to win this year.

The worldwide group is like a support system. Our motto is ‘Make air, not war’. It sounds silly, but it’s a real philosophy.

The event is intense but joyful. Competitors have 60 seconds to put their all – explosive energy, flawless imitation, stage magnetism – on an imaginary instrument. Judges score you on a grading system from a specific numeric range. In the case of a tie, there’s an “tiebreaker” between the remaining participants: a tune begins and you create on the spot.

Training is crucial. I selected an Avenged Sevenfold song for my act. I listened to it on a loop for weeks. I stretched constantly, trying to get my legs flexible enough to jump, my fingers quick enough to imitate guitar parts and my spine prepared for those bends and jumps. When the big day dawned, I could feel the song in my bones.

Once all acts were done, the results were tallied, and I had drawn with the winner from Japan, a competitor known as Sudo-chan – it was moment for an final showdown. We faced off to that classic rock anthem by the rock group. As the music started, I felt relieved because it was a tune I recognized, and above all I was so excited to perform one more time. As they declared I’d won, the venue went wild.

My memory is blurry. I think I blacked out from the excitement. Then everyone started singing the song Rockin’ in the Free World and hoisted me on to their shoulders. One of the greats – also known as his stage name – a previous titleholder and one of my best pals, was holding me. I shed tears. I was the inaugural from Finland air guitar international titleholder in two and a half decades. The previous Finnish champion, the former champion, was there, too. He offered me the biggest hug and said it was “about damn time”.

The air guitar community is like a support system. Our guiding saying is “Focus on fun, not fighting”. It sounds silly, but it’s a genuine belief. Participants come from all over the world, and all involved is positive and uplifting. Before you go on stage, every competitor comes and hugs you. Then for one minute you’re able to be yourself, silly, the biggest rock star in the world.

I’m also a drummer and string player in a band with my sibling called the Southgates, named after Gareth Southgate, as we’re fans of British music genres. I’ve been working in bars for a couple of years, and I produce independent videos and music videos. The victory hasn’t changed my day-to-day life drastically but I’ve been doing a extensive media, and I hope it brings more creative work. The city will be a cultural hub next year, so there are great prospects.

Currently, I’m just thankful: for the network, for the chance to perform, and for that budding enthusiast who picked up a newspaper and thought, “I'd love to try that.”