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When I was just 10, I read about a article in my local paper about the Air Guitar World Championships, that happens every year in my birthplace of Oulu, Finland. My parents had participated at the very first contest back in 1996 – my mother handed out flyers, my father managed the music. Since then, domestic competitions have been held globally, with the titleholders assembling in Oulu each August.

At the time, I asked my parents if I could compete. Initially they had doubts; the competition was in a bar, and there would be an older crowd. They felt it might be an overwhelming atmosphere, but I was resolved.

As a kid, I was always “playing” air guitar, acting out to the most popular rock tunes with my invisible instrument. Mom and Dad were enthusiasts – dad loved Springsteen and the Irish rock band. the Australian rockers was the original act I discovered on my own. the guitarist, the frontman guitarist, was my hero.

When I stepped on stage, I performed my act to AC/DC’s Whole Lotta Rosie. The audience started yelling “Angus”, similar to the album track, and it struck me: this is what it feels like to be a music icon. I made it to the finals, competing to hundreds of people in the public plaza, and I was addicted. I was dubbed “Little Angus” that day.

Then I took a break. I was a adjudicator one year, and started the show once more, but I didn’t compete. I went back at 18, tried a few different stage names, but everyone still referred to me as “Little Angus” so I accepted it fully and choose “The Angus” as my stage name. I’ve reached the finals every year since 2022, and in 2023 I was the runner-up, so I was resolved to claim victory this year.

The worldwide group is like a support system. Our guiding principle is ‘Make air, not war’. It may seem funny, but it’s a true ethos.

The event is high-energy yet fun. Participants have one minute to deliver maximum effort – dynamic presence, perfect mime, performance charm – on an nonexistent axe. Adjudicators score you on a point range from 4.0 to 6.0. When it's a draw, there’s an “air-off” between the final two contestants: a song plays and you create on the spot.

Training is crucial. I picked an Avenged Sevenfold song for my act. I had it on repeat for a long time. I stretched constantly, trying to get my legs prepared enough to leap, my hands nimble enough to copy riffs and my spine prepared for those bends and jumps. Once competition day dawned, I could internalize the track in my soul.

When the show concluded, the scores came in, and I had tied with the titleholder from Japan, Yuta “Sudo-chan” Sudo – it was time for an final showdown. We went head-to-head to the Guns N’ Roses hit by Guns N’ Roses. Once the track began, I felt at ease because it was one that I knew, and above all I was so eager to play again. When they announced I’d won, the square went wild.

My memory is blurry. I think I zoned out from shock. Then everyone started chanting the classic tune the anthem Rockin' in the Free World and lifted me on to their backs. A former champion – alias his stage name – a former champion and one of my best pals, was holding me. I shed tears. I was Finland’s first air guitar international titleholder in a quarter-century. The previous Finnish champion, the earlier victor, was in attendance as well. He bestowed upon me the warmest embrace and said it was “long overdue”.

Our global network is like a close-knit group. Our guiding saying is “Create music, not conflict”. It may seem humorous, but it’s a genuine belief. People come from many countries, and everyone is positive and uplifting. Before you go on stage, all participants comes and hugs you. Then for one minute you’re free to be free, silly, the top performer in the world.

I’m also a beat keeper and guitarist in a musical act with my sibling called the group title, referencing the football manager, as we’re influenced by British music genres. I’ve been serving drinks for a few years now, and I direct short films and song visuals. The title hasn’t altered my routine too much but I’ve been doing a many interviews, and I aspire it leads to more artistic projects. Oulu will be a cultural hub next year, so there are exciting things ahead.

For now, I’m just appreciative: for the community, for the ability to compete, and for that little kid who found a story and thought, “That's for me.”