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When I was just 10, I read about a article in my hometown newspaper about the Air Guitar World Championships, which take place every year in my native city of Oulu, Finland. My family had volunteered at the pioneering contest back in 1996 – my mother handed out flyers, dad managed the music. Ever since, national championships have been staged globally, with the champions gathering in Oulu each August.

Initially, I requested permission if I could enter. Initially they had doubts; the competition was in a bar, and there would be many grown-ups. They felt it might be an overwhelming atmosphere, but I was set on it.

As a kid, I was always performing air guitar, pretending to play to the most popular rock tunes with my invisible instrument. Mom and Dad were lovers of music – dad loved Springsteen and U2. AC/DC was the first band I discovered on my own. the lead guitarist, the frontman guitarist, was my inspiration.

Upon entering the spotlight, I performed my act to the band's the song Whole Lotta Rosie. The crowd started shouting “Angus”, similar to the concert version, and it struck me: so this is to be a guitar hero. I advanced to the last round, playing to crowds in the town square, and I was captivated. I was dubbed “Little Angus” that day.

Later I paused. I was a judge one year, and started the show on another occasion, but I didn't participate. I went back at 18, tested out several stage names, but people kept calling me “Little Angus” so I accepted it fully and choose “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 support system. The saying we live by is ‘Create music, not conflict’. It may seem funny, but it’s a true ethos.

The competition itself is high-energy yet fun. Competitors have a short window to put their all – explosive energy, precise mimicry, rock star charisma – on an invisible guitar. Judges evaluate you on a grading system 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 picked an the band Avenged Sevenfold song for my act. I had it on repeat for a long time. I stretched constantly, trying to get my lower body loose enough to jump, my fingers fast enough to mimic solos and my spine prepared for those gestures and hops. By the time the event arrived, I could internalize the track in my bones.

After everyone had performed, the scores came in, and I had tied with the winner from Japan, the Japanese titleholder – it was time for an tiebreaker. We competed directly to the Guns N’ Roses hit by Guns N’ Roses. As the music started, I felt comforted because it was one that I knew, and above all I was so excited to perform one more time. As they declared I’d won, the square went wild.

It's all a bit fuzzy. I think I zoned out from surprise. Then the crowd started chanting Neil Young’s the anthem Rockin' in the Free World and lifted me on to their shoulders. A former champion – AKA his stage name – a former champion and one of my dear companions, was embracing me. I cried. I was the inaugural from Finland air guitar global winner in 25 years. The prior titleholder, the earlier victor, was also present. He offered me the warmest embrace and said it was “long overdue”.

The air guitar community is like a support system. Our motto is “Make air, not war”. Though it appears comical, but it’s a genuine belief. Participants come from many countries, and everyone is supportive and encouraging. Prior to performing, every competitor shows support. Then for 60 seconds you’re allowed to be free, humorous, the ultimate music icon in the world.

Besides that, I'm a beat keeper and guitarist in a musical act with my family member called the Southgates, named after the football manager, as we’re influenced by British music genres. I’ve been bartending for a short time, and I direct mini movies and song visuals. The victory hasn’t altered my routine drastically but I’ve been doing a lot of press, and I wish it leads to more creative work. My hometown will be a designated cultural center soon, so there are promising opportunities.

For now, I’m just appreciative: for the group, for the opportunity to play, and for that budding enthusiast who picked up a newspaper and thought, “That's for me.”