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At the age of 10, I read about a feature in my hometown newspaper about the Air Guitar World Championships, held annually every year in my birthplace of Oulu, Finland. My family had volunteered at the inaugural contest starting from 1996 – my mum handed out flyers, dad organized the music. Ever since, country-level contests have been staged all across the world, with the titleholders converging in Oulu annually.

At the time, I inquired with my family if I could enter. Initially they had doubts; the competition was in a bar, and there would be an older crowd. They felt it might be an daunting atmosphere, but I was determined.

As a kid, I was always performing air guitar, miming along to the most popular rock tunes with my make-believe instrument. Mom and Dad were music fans – dad loved The Boss and the Irish rock band. the Australian rockers was the first band I stumbled upon myself. Angus Young, the lead guitarist, was my hero.

Upon entering the spotlight, I performed my act to AC/DC’s the song Whole Lotta Rosie. The spectators started chanting “Angus”, similar to the album track, and it hit me: this is what it feels like to be a guitar hero. I advanced to the last round, performing to hundreds of people in the public plaza, and I was captivated. I was dubbed “Little Angus” that day.

Then I took a break. I was a referee one year, and kicked off the show another time, but I didn't participate. I came back at 18, experimented with various stage names, but everyone still referred to me as “Little Angus” so I embraced it and adopt “The Angus” as my stage name. I’ve qualified for the last round annually from 2022 onward, and in 2023 I was the runner-up, so I was resolved to claim victory this year.

Our global network is like a family. Our motto is ‘Play air guitar, avoid battles’. Though it appears humorous, but it’s a real philosophy.

The contest is intense but joyful. Competitors have a short window to put their all – explosive energy, precise mimicry, stage magnetism – on an invisible guitar. The panel score you on a scale from 4.0 to 6.0. In the case of a tie, there’s an “showdown” between the remaining participants: a tune begins and you freestyle.

Getting ready is key. I selected an Avenged Sevenfold song for my act. I played it repeatedly for multiple weeks. I practiced flexibility, trying to get my limbs prepared enough to jump, my digits fast enough to copy riffs and my spine ready for those moves and leaps. Once competition day dawned, I could feel the song in my bones.

Once all acts were done, the scores came in, and I had tied with the titleholder from Japan, Yuta “Sudo-chan” Sudo – it was moment for an final showdown. We faced off to that classic rock anthem by the iconic band. As the music started, I felt relieved because it was familiar to me, and primarily I was so eager to perform one more time. When they announced I’d triumphed, the square went wild.

It's all a bit fuzzy. I think I zoned out from the excitement. Then the crowd started performing the song the anthem Rockin' in the Free World and raised me up on to their shoulders. Justin Howard – also known as Nordic Thunder – a previous titleholder and one of my closest friends, was hugging me. I shed tears. I was the first Finnish air guitar international titleholder in a quarter-century. The prior titleholder, the former champion, was also present. He bestowed upon me the warmest embrace and said it was “long overdue”.

This worldwide group is like a support system. Our motto is “Focus on fun, not fighting”. Though it appears comical, but it’s a real philosophy. Competitors come from all over the world, and each person is helpful and motivating. Before you go on stage, every competitor shows support. Then for a brief period you’re able to be yourself, silly, the biggest rock star in the world.

I’m also a percussionist and string player in a group with my family member called the group title, referencing Gareth Southgate, as we’re influenced by British music genres. I’ve been working in bars for a short time, and I produce independent videos and song visuals. The victory hasn’t changed my day-to-day life drastically but I’ve been doing a many interviews, and I aspire it leads to more innovative opportunities. My hometown will be a designated cultural center the coming year, so there are promising opportunities.

At present, I’m just grateful: for the network, for the opportunity to play, and for that young child who found a story and thought, “I'd love to try that.”