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At the age of 10, I came across a feature in my hometown newspaper about the World Air Guitar Competition, which take place every year in my hometown of Oulu, Finland. Mom and Dad had volunteered at the very first contest back in 1996 – my mum gave out flyers, my dad sorted the music. Ever since, national championships have been organized in many nations, with the champions assembling in Oulu annually.

At the time, I requested permission if I could compete. At first they were hesitant; the show was in a bar, and there would be many grown-ups. They believed it might be an daunting atmosphere, but I was set on it.

In my youth, I was always miming air guitar, acting out to the biggest rock tunes with my imaginary instrument. My family were music fans – dad loved The Boss and the Irish rock band. the Australian rockers was the original act I stumbled upon myself. Angus Young, the guitar hero, was my idol.

Upon entering the spotlight, I performed my act to AC/DC’s Whole Lotta Rosie. The crowd started yelling “Angus”, just like the album track, and it hit me: so this is to be a music icon. I reached the championship, playing to hundreds of people in the town square, and I was hooked. I got the nickname “Little Angus” that day.

After that I stopped. I was a adjudicator one year, and kicked off the show on another occasion, but I didn’t compete. I came back at 18, tested out several stage names, but everyone still referred to me as “Little Angus” so I accepted it fully and choose “The Angus” as my performance alias. I’ve qualified for the last round each competition since then, and in 2023 I was the runner-up, so I was determined to claim victory this year.

The air guitar community is like a family. Our guiding principle is ‘Make air, not war’. Though it appears humorous, but it’s a real philosophy.

The contest is intense but joyful. Competitors have a short window to give everything – dynamic presence, perfect mime, stage magnetism – on an nonexistent axe. Judges evaluate you on a scale from a specific numeric range. When it's a draw, there’s an “showdown” between the remaining participants: a track is selected and you freestyle.

Preparation is everything. I chose an Avenged Sevenfold song for my performance. I played it repeatedly for a long time. I stretched constantly, trying to get my lower body flexible enough to bound, my fingers nimble enough to copy riffs and my spine set for those bends and jumps. By the time the event came, I could sense the music in my being.

Once all acts were done, the results were tallied, and I had tied with the Japanese champion, the Japanese titleholder – it was occasion for an final showdown. We faced off to that classic rock anthem by the rock group. As the music started, I felt at ease because it was familiar to me, and primarily I was so thrilled to play again. When they announced I’d emerged victorious, the area went wild.

The moment is hazy. I think I blacked out from surprise. Then all present started singing the classic tune the anthem Rockin' in the Free World and raised me up on to their backs. One of the greats – alias Nordic Thunder – a previous titleholder and one of my closest friends, was embracing me. I shed tears. I was Finland’s first air guitar world champion in 25 years. The previous Finnish champion, the earlier victor, was there, too. He offered me the most heartfelt squeeze and said it was “finally happening”.

This worldwide group is like a support system. The phrase we live by is “Focus on fun, not fighting”. It sounds silly, but it’s a genuine belief. People come from all over the world, and all involved is supportive and encouraging. Before you go on stage, every competitor comes and hugs you. Then for 60 seconds you’re allowed to be uninhibited, playful, the ultimate music icon in the world.

Besides that, I'm a drummer and string player in a band with my sibling called the group title, inspired by Gareth Southgate, as we’re fans of Britpop and new wave. I’ve been working in bars for a couple of years, and I create mini movies and performance clips. The victory hasn’t changed my day-to-day life significantly but I’ve been doing a extensive media, and I wish it results in more artistic projects. Oulu will be a cultural hub soon, so there are great prospects.

At present, I’m just grateful: for the network, for the ability to compete, and for that little kid who found a story and thought, “I'd love to try that.”