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When I was just 10, I discovered a article in my local paper about the World Air Guitar Competition, which take place every year in my hometown of Oulu, Finland. Mom and Dad had participated at the pioneering contest starting from 1996 – mom distributed flyers, dad organized the music. Since then, national championships have been staged in many nations, with the titleholders converging in Oulu each August.

Initially, I asked my parents if I could compete. They weren't sure at first; the show was in a bar, and there would be a lot of adults. They felt it might be an intimidating atmosphere, but I was resolved.

As a kid, I was always “playing” air guitar, miming along to the biggest rock tunes with my imaginary instrument. My family were enthusiasts – my dad loved The Boss and U2. the Australian rockers was the initial group I found independently. the lead guitarist, the guitar hero, was my idol.

As I took the stage, I performed my act to AC/DC’s that classic track. The crowd started yelling “Angus”, reminiscent of the concert version, and it dawned on me: this is what it feels like to be a rock star. I made it to the finals, performing to crowds in the public plaza, and I was hooked. I got the nickname “Little Angus” that day.

Then I took a break. I was a referee one year, and started the show another time, but I stayed out of the contest. I returned at 18, tried a few different stage names, but everyone still referred to me as “Little Angus” so I decided to own it and make “The Angus” as my artist name. I’ve qualified for the last round annually from 2022 onward, and in 2023 I came second, so I was resolved to take the title this year.

Our global network is like a family. The saying we live by is ‘Create music, not conflict’. Though it appears humorous, but it’s a real philosophy.

The contest is high-energy yet fun. Participants have a short window to deliver maximum effort – dynamic presence, perfect mime, performance charm – on an nonexistent axe. Adjudicators rate you on a point range from a specific numeric range. If scores are equal, there’s an “tiebreaker” between the final two contestants: a track is selected and you create on the spot.

Preparation is everything. I selected an a metal group song for my act. I had it on repeat for a long time. I stretched constantly, trying to get my legs flexible enough to leap, my fingers nimble enough to mimic solos and my back prepared for those moves and leaps. When competition day dawned, I could feel the song in my bones.

Once all acts were done, the results were tallied, and I had drawn with the Japanese champion, the Japanese titleholder – it was time for an final showdown. We competed directly to Sweet Child o’ Mine by Guns N’ Roses. As the music started, I felt comforted because it was familiar to me, and primarily I was so thrilled to perform one more time. When they announced I’d won, the square exploded.

My memory is blurry. I think I blacked out from shock. Then everyone started singing Neil Young’s Rockin’ in the Free World and raised me up on to their backs. Justin Howard – AKA his stage name – a past winner and one of my dear companions, was hugging me. I wept. I was the first Finnish air guitar international titleholder in two and a half decades. The earlier winner from Finland, Markus “Black Raven” Vainionpää, was also present. He bestowed upon me the most heartfelt squeeze and said it was “about damn time”.

Our global network is like a support system. Our guiding saying is “Create music, not conflict”. It may seem humorous, but it’s a true way of life. People come from many countries, and everyone is positive and uplifting. Prior to performing, every competitor comes and hugs you. Then for one minute you’re free to be free, silly, the biggest rock star in the world.

Besides that, I'm a drummer and string player in a band with my brother called the group title, inspired by the sports figure, as we’re influenced by Britpop and new wave. I’ve been working in bars for a few years now, and I create short films and performance clips. The victory hasn’t changed my day-to-day life drastically but I’ve been doing a many interviews, and I wish it results in more innovative opportunities. The city will be a cultural hub soon, so there are promising opportunities.

For now, I’m just thankful: for the community, for the opportunity to play, and for that budding enthusiast who picked up a newspaper and thought, “I want to do that.”