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Back when I was 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 family had helped out at the pioneering contest since 1996 – my mother handed out flyers, my dad managed the music. Since then, domestic competitions have been staged all across the world, with the champions converging in Oulu annually.

At the time, I inquired with my family if I could participate. At first they were hesitant; the show was in a bar, and there would be an older crowd. They felt it might be an overwhelming atmosphere, but I was set on it.

As a kid, I was always “playing” air guitar, pretending to play to the most popular rock tunes with my make-believe instrument. Mom and Dad were enthusiasts – dad loved Springsteen and the Irish rock band. AC/DC 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 AC/DC’s that classic track. The spectators started yelling “Angus”, similar to the concert version, and it hit me: so this is to be a rock star. I reached the championship, playing to hundreds of people in Oulu’s market square, and I was captivated. I got the nickname “Little Angus” that day.

Later I paused. I was a referee one year, and started the show once more, but I didn’t compete. I came back at 18, experimented with various stage names, but people kept calling me “Little Angus” so I embraced it and adopt “The Angus” as my artist name. I’ve made it to the final annually from 2022 onward, and in 2023 I came second, so I was determined to win this year.

The air guitar community is like a family. Our motto is ‘Play air guitar, avoid battles’. It sounds silly, but it’s a true ethos.

The contest is high-energy yet fun. Participants have 60 seconds to deliver maximum effort – high-powered performance, precise mimicry, stage magnetism – on an invisible guitar. The panel rate you on a point range from 4.0 to 6.0. When it's a draw, there’s an “tiebreaker” between the last two competitors: a track is selected and you improvise.

Getting ready is key. I selected an the band Avenged Sevenfold song for my routine. I had it on repeat for a long time. I stretched constantly, trying to get my limbs loose enough to leap, my hands nimble enough to copy riffs and my back set for those moves and leaps. When competition day arrived, I could sense the music in my soul.

After everyone had performed, the scores came in, and I had tied with the Japanese champion, Yuta “Sudo-chan” Sudo – it was time for an final showdown. We went head-to-head to that classic rock anthem by Guns N’ Roses. As the music started, I felt comforted because it was one that I knew, and more than anything I was so eager to play again. Once the results were read I’d emerged victorious, the area erupted.

My memory is blurry. I think I blacked out from the excitement. Then the crowd started chanting the classic tune Rockin’ in the Free World and lifted me on to their backs. A former champion – alias his stage name – a previous titleholder and one of my best pals, was embracing me. I wept. I was Finland’s first air guitar global winner in two and a half decades. The prior titleholder, the earlier victor, was there, too. He gave me the biggest hug and said it was “finally happening”.

This worldwide group is like a family. The phrase we live by is “Focus on fun, not fighting”. It sounds silly, but it’s a genuine belief. Competitors come from globally, and all involved is supportive and encouraging. Before you go on stage, all participants offers an embrace. Then for 60 seconds you’re allowed to be free, silly, the biggest rock star in the world.

I’m also a percussionist and string player in a musical act with my sibling called the Southgates, inspired by the sports figure, as we’re inspired by UK rock and post-punk. I’ve been working in bars for a short time, and I produce independent videos and music videos. The title hasn’t changed my day-to-day life drastically but I’ve been doing a extensive media, and I hope it leads to more artistic projects. Oulu will be a designated cultural center soon, so there are promising opportunities.

At present, I’m just grateful: for the group, for the chance to perform, and for that young child who picked up a newspaper and thought, “I want to do that.”