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Back when I was 10, I came across a article in my community gazette about the Global Air Guitar Contest, held annually every year in my birthplace of Oulu, Finland. Mom and Dad had helped out at the inaugural contest back in 1996 – mom handed out flyers, dad organized the music. From that point, country-level contests have been organized in many nations, with the champions gathering in Oulu every summer.

At the time, I inquired with my family if I could enter. They weren't sure at first; the competition was in a bar, and there would be a lot of adults. They believed it might be an intimidating atmosphere, but I was resolved.

In my youth, I was always “playing” air guitar, pretending to play to the iconic rock tunes with my imaginary instrument. My family were enthusiasts – my father loved The Boss and U2. the band AC/DC was the original act I discovered on my own. the lead guitarist, the guitar hero, was my hero.

When I stepped on stage, I did my routine to the band's Whole Lotta Rosie. The crowd started yelling “Angus”, reminiscent of the live recording, and it dawned on me: this is what it feels like to be a music icon. I reached the championship, competing to a large audience in the town square, and I was captivated. I was dubbed “Little Angus” that day.

Then I took a break. I was a referee one year, and opened for the show once more, but I didn't participate. I came back at 18, tested out several stage names, but people kept calling me “Little Angus” so I embraced it and make “The Angus” as my artist name. I’ve reached the finals every year since 2022, and in 2023 I was the runner-up, so I was determined to take the title this year.

Our global network is like a family. The saying we live by is ‘Play air guitar, avoid battles’. It may seem funny, but it’s a true ethos.

The contest is intense but joyful. Competitors have 60 seconds to deliver maximum effort – dynamic presence, perfect mime, performance charm – on an invisible guitar. The panel evaluate you on a scale from a specific numeric range. In the case of a tie, there’s an “air-off” between the remaining participants: a tune begins and you improvise.

Getting ready is key. I picked an a metal group song for my performance. I listened to it on a loop for weeks. I practiced flexibility, trying to get my legs prepared enough to leap, my hands fast enough to imitate guitar parts and my upper body set for those bends and jumps. By the time competition day dawned, I could sense the music in my soul.

After everyone had performed, the results were tallied, and I had drawn with the winner from Japan, a competitor known as Sudo-chan – it was time for an final showdown. We competed directly to that classic rock anthem by the iconic band. As the music started, I felt at ease because it was one that I knew, and primarily I was so eager to have another go. When they announced I’d won, the venue went wild.

My memory is blurry. I think I lost consciousness from surprise. Then the crowd started performing the song the anthem Rockin' in the Free World and hoisted me on to their shoulders. Justin Howard – alias his stage name – a past winner and one of my closest friends, was hugging me. I cried. I was Finland’s first air guitar world champion in a quarter-century. The previous Finnish champion, the earlier victor, was there, too. He offered me the most heartfelt squeeze and said it was “finally happening”.

The air guitar community is like a family. The phrase we live by is “Make air, not war”. It may seem humorous, but it’s a genuine belief. Participants come from many countries, and each person is positive and uplifting. As you prepare to compete, all participants comes and hugs you. Then for one minute you’re able to be free, humorous, the ultimate music icon in the world.

Besides that, I'm a percussionist and musician in a musical act with my sibling called the group title, inspired by Gareth Southgate, as we’re inspired by British music genres. I’ve been working in bars for a couple of years, and I direct independent videos and performance clips. The victory hasn’t changed my day-to-day life drastically but I’ve been doing a extensive media, and I wish it brings more artistic projects. Oulu will be a cultural hub next year, so there are exciting things ahead.

At present, I’m just thankful: for the network, for the opportunity to play, and for that little kid who picked up a newspaper and thought, “I'd love to try that.”