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When I was just 10, I discovered a article in my local paper about the World Air Guitar Competition, held annually every year in my hometown of Oulu, Finland. My parents had volunteered at the pioneering contest since 1996 – my mother handed out flyers, my dad sorted the music. Ever since, country-level contests have been held globally, with the titleholders gathering in Oulu annually.

At the time, I asked my parents if I could compete. Initially they had doubts; the competition was in a bar, and there would be many grown-ups. They thought 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 iconic rock tunes with my make-believe instrument. Mom and Dad were lovers of music – dad loved Springsteen and the Irish rock band. the Australian rockers was the first band I discovered on my own. the lead guitarist, the frontman guitarist, was my idol.

Upon entering the spotlight, I did my routine to the band's Whole Lotta Rosie. The spectators started shouting “Angus”, reminiscent of the live recording, and it hit me: this must be to be a music icon. I made it to the finals, playing to hundreds of people in the public plaza, and I was captivated. I was dubbed “Little Angus” that day.

After that I stopped. I was a judge one year, and opened for the show another time, but I didn’t compete. I went back at 18, tested out several stage names, but people kept calling me “Little Angus” so I decided to own it and adopt “The Angus” as my performance alias. I’ve qualified for the last round each competition since then, and in 2023 I placed second, so I was determined to claim victory this year.

The worldwide group is like a close-knit group. The saying we live by is ‘Create music, not conflict’. It may seem funny, but it’s a real philosophy.

The contest is high-energy yet fun. Participants have one minute to put their all – high-powered performance, perfect mime, stage magnetism – on an invisible guitar. The panel evaluate you on a scale from 4.0 to 6.0. In the case of a tie, there’s an “tiebreaker” between the final two contestants: a track is selected and you freestyle.

Training is crucial. I picked an Avenged Sevenfold song for my performance. I had it on repeat for a long time. I practiced flexibility, trying to get my lower body loose enough to leap, my hands fast enough to mimic solos and my back prepared for those bends and jumps. Once competition day came, I could feel the song in my being.

After everyone had performed, the results were tallied, and I had drawn with the titleholder from Japan, Yuta “Sudo-chan” Sudo – it was time for an final showdown. We faced off to that classic rock anthem by the rock group. As the music started, I felt relieved because it was a tune I recognized, and primarily I was so thrilled to have another go. Once the results were read I’d emerged victorious, the square exploded.

It's all a bit fuzzy. I think I lost consciousness from shock. Then everyone started chanting Neil Young’s the anthem Rockin' in the Free World and lifted me on to their arms. Justin Howard – also known as his stage name – a previous titleholder and one of my best pals, was hugging me. I cried. I was Finland’s first air guitar world champion in a quarter-century. The previous Finnish champion, Markus “Black Raven” Vainionpää, was in attendance as well. He bestowed upon me the most heartfelt squeeze and said it was “long overdue”.

This worldwide group is like a close-knit group. Our motto is “Make air, not war”. Though it appears comical, but it’s a genuine belief. Competitors come from many countries, and all involved is supportive and encouraging. Before you go on stage, each contestant offers an embrace. Then for 60 seconds you’re able to be free, silly, the biggest rock star in the world.

I’m also a drummer and guitarist in a band with my brother called the Southgates, named after the sports figure, as we’re influenced by Britpop and new wave. 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 significantly but I’ve been doing a lot of press, and I wish it leads to more creative work. Oulu will be a European capital of culture soon, so there are exciting things ahead.

Currently, I’m just grateful: for the community, for the opportunity to play, and for that young child who picked up a newspaper and thought, “I want to do that.”