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Back when I was 10, I discovered a feature in my hometown newspaper about the Air Guitar World Championships, held annually every year in my native city of Oulu, Finland. Mom and Dad had volunteered at the very first contest back in 1996 – my mother distributed flyers, my father managed the music. Ever since, country-level contests have been organized globally, with the titleholders gathering in Oulu annually.

Initially, I requested permission if I could participate. Initially they had doubts; the event was in a bar, and there would be an older crowd. They thought it might be an intimidating atmosphere, but I was set on it.

In my youth, I was always miming air guitar, pretending to play to the biggest rock tunes with my invisible instrument. My parents were music fans – my father loved The Boss and the Irish rock band. AC/DC was the initial group I stumbled upon myself. the lead guitarist, the lead guitarist, was my hero.

As I took the stage, I performed my act to AC/DC’s that classic track. The audience started yelling “Angus”, just like the concert version, and it struck me: this is what it feels like to be a music icon. I reached the championship, playing to crowds in the town square, and I was captivated. I earned the moniker “Little Angus” that day.

Then I took a break. I was a adjudicator one year, and opened for the show once more, but I stayed out of the contest. I came back at 18, tested out several stage names, but everyone still referred to me as “Little Angus” so I decided to own it and make “The Angus” as my stage name. I’ve made it to the final each competition since then, and in 2023 I placed second, so I was determined to take the title this year.

The worldwide group is like a family. The saying we live by is ‘Play air guitar, avoid battles’. It sounds silly, but it’s a real philosophy.

The event is competitive but uplifting. Competitors have 60 seconds to give everything – high-powered performance, precise mimicry, rock star charisma – on an nonexistent axe. Adjudicators evaluate you on a scale from 4.0 to 6.0. If scores are equal, there’s an “showdown” between the final two contestants: a song plays 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 practiced flexibility, trying to get my legs loose enough to jump, my hands nimble enough to copy riffs and my spine set for those bends and jumps. Once the event dawned, I could sense the music in my soul.

After everyone had performed, the scores came in, and I had matched with the Japanese champion, the Japanese titleholder – it was time for an final showdown. We faced off to Sweet Child o’ Mine by Guns N’ Roses. As the music started, I felt at ease because it was familiar to me, and primarily I was so excited to perform one more time. Once the results were read I’d emerged victorious, the square exploded.

It's all a bit fuzzy. I think I blacked out from surprise. Then everyone started chanting Neil Young’s that well-known track and raised me up on to their backs. One of the greats – AKA his performer title – a previous titleholder and one of my closest friends, was holding me. I wept. I was the inaugural from Finland air guitar world champion in 25 years. The previous Finnish champion, Markus “Black Raven” Vainionpää, was there, too. He offered me the most heartfelt squeeze and said it was “long overdue”.

The air guitar community is like a close-knit group. Our guiding saying is “Make air, not war”. Though it appears comical, but it’s a true way of life. Competitors come from globally, and everyone is positive and uplifting. Before you go on stage, each contestant offers an embrace. Then for a brief period you’re able to be free, playful, the ultimate music icon in the world.

Besides that, I'm a drummer and musician in a musical act with my brother called the group title, named after the sports figure, as we’re fans of Britpop and new wave. I’ve been working in bars for a couple of years, 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 aspire it brings more creative work. Oulu will be a European capital of culture the coming year, so there are great prospects.

Currently, I’m just appreciative: for the network, for the ability to compete, and for that young child who read an article and thought, “I want to do that.”