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At the age of 10, I discovered a article in my community gazette about the World Air Guitar Competition, held annually every year in my birthplace of Oulu, Finland. My family had participated at the inaugural contest starting from 1996 – mom handed out flyers, dad managed the music. Since then, country-level contests have been organized in many nations, with the titleholders converging in Oulu every summer.

Initially, I asked my parents if I could compete. At first they were hesitant; the show was in a bar, and there would be an older crowd. They believed it might be an intimidating atmosphere, but I was determined.

As a kid, I was always performing air guitar, pretending to play to the biggest rock tunes with my invisible instrument. Mom and Dad were lovers of music – my dad loved Springsteen and the Irish rock band. AC/DC was the original act I found independently. the lead guitarist, the frontman guitarist, was my inspiration.

As I took the stage, I did my routine to the band's Whole Lotta Rosie. The crowd started chanting “Angus”, reminiscent of the concert version, and it dawned on me: this is what it feels like to be a rock star. I advanced to the last round, playing to crowds in the town square, and I was hooked. I earned the moniker “Little Angus” that day.

Then I took a break. I was a referee one year, and opened for the show on another occasion, but I didn't participate. I returned at 18, experimented with various stage names, but fans continued using “Little Angus” so I accepted it fully and adopt “The Angus” as my stage name. I’ve made it to the final every year since 2022, and in 2023 I was the runner-up, so I was resolved to take the title this year.

Our global network is like a family. The saying we live by is ‘Make air, not war’. It sounds silly, but it’s a genuine belief.

The event is high-energy yet fun. Competitors have 60 seconds to give everything – high-powered performance, perfect mime, rock star charisma – on an nonexistent axe. The panel evaluate you on a scale from 4.0 to 6.0. In the case of a tie, there’s an “tiebreaker” between the last two competitors: a song plays and you improvise.

Preparation is everything. I selected an the band Avenged Sevenfold song for my act. I had it on repeat for weeks. I practiced flexibility, trying to get my lower body flexible enough to jump, my hands nimble enough to imitate guitar parts and my spine set for those gestures and hops. When the event came, I could sense the music in my being.

Once all acts were done, the points were announced, and I had tied with the Japanese champion, a competitor known as Sudo-chan – it was moment for an final showdown. We went head-to-head to the Guns N’ Roses hit by the iconic band. Once the track began, I felt at ease because it was one that I knew, and primarily I was so excited to have another go. Once the results were read I’d emerged victorious, the square exploded.

My memory is blurry. I think I zoned out from the excitement. Then all present started chanting Neil Young’s that well-known track and hoisted me on to their arms. One of the greats – also known as his stage name – a past winner and one of my dear companions, was holding me. I cried. I was the first Finnish air guitar global winner in two and a half decades. The previous Finnish champion, the earlier victor, was there, too. He gave me the biggest hug and said it was “about damn time”.

This worldwide group is like a support system. The phrase we live by is “Focus on fun, not fighting”. It may seem humorous, but it’s a true way of life. People come from all over the world, and all involved is positive and uplifting. As you prepare to compete, all participants offers an embrace. Then for 60 seconds you’re allowed to be yourself, playful, the biggest rock star in the world.

Additionally, I am a beat keeper and musician in a group with my brother called the group title, named after Gareth Southgate, as we’re influenced by British music genres. I’ve been bartending for a couple of years, and I create short films and song visuals. The victory hasn’t changed my day-to-day life significantly but I’ve been doing a lot of press, and I hope it results in more artistic projects. My hometown will be a designated cultural center soon, so there are promising opportunities.

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