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Back when I was 10, I came across a story in my local paper about the Global Air Guitar Contest, held annually every year in my hometown of Oulu, Finland. Mom and Dad had participated at the very first contest since 1996 – my mother handed out flyers, my dad sorted the music. Since then, country-level contests have been staged globally, with the titleholders assembling in Oulu annually.

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

During childhood, I was always “playing” air guitar, acting out to the most popular rock tunes with my invisible instrument. Mom and Dad were lovers of music – my dad loved Bruce Springsteen and the Irish rock band. the band AC/DC was the initial group I stumbled upon myself. the guitarist, the frontman guitarist, was my idol.

As I took the stage, I played my set to AC/DC’s the song Whole Lotta Rosie. The audience started yelling “Angus”, reminiscent of the album track, and it dawned on me: so this is to be a guitar hero. I reached the championship, playing to crowds in the town square, and I was hooked. I earned the moniker “Little Angus” that day.

After that I stopped. I was a adjudicator one year, and started the show once more, but I didn’t compete. I came back at 18, experimented with various stage names, but fans continued using “Little Angus” so I accepted it fully and choose “The Angus” as my stage name. I’ve reached the finals annually from 2022 onward, and in 2023 I placed second, so I was set to take the title this year.

The worldwide group is like a close-knit group. Our motto is ‘Create music, not conflict’. Though it appears humorous, but it’s a real philosophy.

The contest is intense but joyful. Competitors have one minute to give everything – explosive energy, precise mimicry, stage magnetism – on an imaginary instrument. Judges score you on a grading system from a specific numeric range. If scores are equal, there’s an “air-off” between the final two contestants: a tune begins and you create on the spot.

Training is crucial. I chose an Avenged Sevenfold song for my routine. I had it on repeat for weeks. I did regular stretches, trying to get my lower body loose enough to leap, my fingers nimble enough to copy riffs and my spine ready for those moves and leaps. When the event came, I could internalize the track in my being.

Once all acts were done, the results were tallied, and I had drawn with the Japanese champion, Yuta “Sudo-chan” Sudo – it was occasion for an tiebreaker. We competed directly to Sweet Child o’ Mine by the rock group. When I heard the song, I felt at ease because it was one that I knew, and above all I was so excited to perform one more time. When they announced I’d won, the venue erupted.

My memory is blurry. I think I zoned out from surprise. Then everyone started chanting Neil Young’s that well-known track and hoisted me on to their backs. Justin Howard – alias his stage name – a past winner and one of my best pals, was holding me. I cried. I was the inaugural from Finland air guitar international titleholder in two and a half decades. The prior titleholder, the former champion, was also present. He bestowed upon me the biggest hug and said it was “finally happening”.

Our global network is like a close-knit group. Our motto is “Make air, not war”. It may seem humorous, but it’s a real philosophy. Participants come from many countries, and all involved is supportive and encouraging. Before you go on stage, all participants comes and hugs you. Then for a brief period you’re free to be free, silly, the ultimate music icon in the world.

Additionally, I am a beat keeper and guitarist in a group with my sibling called the band name, inspired by Gareth Southgate, as we’re inspired by Britpop and new wave. I’ve been working in bars for a few years now, and I produce short films and performance clips. Winning hasn’t affected my daily activities significantly but I’ve been doing a many interviews, and I aspire it brings more creative work. My hometown will be a cultural hub next year, so there are promising opportunities.

Currently, I’m just thankful: for the group, for the chance to perform, and for that budding enthusiast who picked up a newspaper and thought, “I want to do that.”