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Back when I was 10, I came across a feature in my hometown newspaper about the Global Air Guitar Contest, held annually every year in my hometown of Oulu, Finland. Mom and Dad had volunteered at the pioneering contest since 1996 – my mum handed out flyers, my father sorted the music. Since then, country-level contests have been staged in many nations, with the champions converging in Oulu every summer.

Back then, I requested permission if I could enter. Initially they had doubts; the show was in a bar, and there would be an older crowd. They believed it might be an overwhelming atmosphere, but I was resolved.

In my youth, I was always “playing” air guitar, acting out to the biggest rock tunes with my make-believe instrument. My family were lovers of music – my dad loved The Boss and the Irish rock band. AC/DC was the initial group I stumbled upon myself. Angus Young, the lead guitarist, was my hero.

As I took the stage, I performed my act to the band's that classic track. The spectators started chanting “Angus”, just like the album track, and it hit me: so this is to be a music icon. I advanced to the last round, competing to a large audience in the public plaza, and I was addicted. I earned the moniker “Little Angus” that day.

Later I paused. I was a judge one year, and started the show on another occasion, but I didn’t compete. I came back at 18, experimented with various stage names, but people kept calling me “Little Angus” so I accepted it fully and choose “The Angus” as my artist name. I’ve reached the finals annually from 2022 onward, and in 2023 I placed second, so I was resolved to take the title this year.

The air guitar community is like a support system. The saying we live by is ‘Make air, not war’. It may seem funny, but it’s a real philosophy.

The competition itself is intense but joyful. Participants have a short window to deliver maximum effort – high-powered performance, perfect mime, rock star charisma – on an invisible guitar. The panel evaluate you on a point range from four to six. In the case of a tie, there’s an “air-off” between the remaining participants: a song plays and you create on the spot.

Preparation is everything. I chose an a metal group song for my routine. I played it repeatedly for weeks. I did regular stretches, trying to get my lower body flexible enough to bound, my digits nimble enough to copy riffs and my spine prepared for those bends and jumps. Once the event came, I could internalize the track in my being.

When the show concluded, the scores came in, and I had tied with the Japanese champion, Yuta “Sudo-chan” Sudo – it was time for an air-off. We competed directly to that classic rock anthem by the iconic band. Once the track began, I felt relieved because it was a tune I recognized, and above all I was so excited to perform one more time. As they declared I’d triumphed, the venue exploded.

The moment is hazy. I think I lost consciousness from the excitement. Then all present started singing the classic tune Rockin’ in the Free World and lifted me on to their shoulders. Justin Howard – also known as his performer title – a past winner and one of my dear companions, was hugging me. I cried. I was the inaugural from Finland air guitar world champion in two and a half decades. The earlier winner from Finland, Markus “Black Raven” Vainionpää, was also present. He gave me the biggest hug and said it was “about damn time”.

The air guitar community is like a family. Our motto is “Focus on fun, not fighting”. It may seem humorous, but it’s a genuine belief. People come from many countries, and each person is helpful and motivating. Prior to performing, every competitor comes and hugs you. Then for 60 seconds you’re free to be free, playful, the biggest rock star in the world.

Besides that, I'm a percussionist and musician in a musical act with my brother called the band name, referencing Gareth Southgate, as we’re inspired by British music genres. I’ve been serving drinks for a few years now, and I create short films and performance clips. The victory hasn’t affected my daily activities significantly but I’ve been doing a many interviews, and I hope it results in more artistic projects. The city will be a European capital of culture next year, so there are promising opportunities.

At present, I’m just grateful: for the group, for the ability to compete, and for that budding enthusiast who picked up a newspaper and thought, “I want to do that.”