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When I was just 10, I read about a story in my community gazette about the Global Air Guitar Contest, which take place every year in my native city of Oulu, Finland. Mom and Dad had volunteered at the inaugural contest back in 1996 – my mother distributed flyers, dad organized the music. Since then, domestic competitions have been organized all across the world, with the winners gathering in Oulu annually.

Initially, I requested permission if I could participate. Initially they had doubts; the competition was in a bar, and there would be many grown-ups. They believed it might be an intimidating atmosphere, but I was determined.

As a kid, I was always “playing” air guitar, pretending to play to the most popular rock tunes with my invisible instrument. Mom and Dad were lovers of music – my father loved Springsteen and the Irish rock band. AC/DC was the initial group I stumbled upon myself. the lead guitarist, the lead guitarist, was my inspiration.

When I stepped on stage, I performed my act to the band's Whole Lotta Rosie. The crowd started chanting “Angus”, just like the album track, and it hit me: so this is to be a rock star. I reached the championship, competing to hundreds of people in the public plaza, and I was hooked. I earned the moniker “Little Angus” that day.

After that I stopped. I was a judge one year, and kicked off the show once more, but I didn’t compete. I came back at 18, tried a few different stage names, but fans continued using “Little Angus” so I decided to own it and make “The Angus” as my performance alias. I’ve qualified for the last round annually from 2022 onward, and in 2023 I came second, so I was determined to win this year.

The worldwide group is like a support system. Our motto is ‘Create music, not conflict’. It sounds silly, but it’s a real philosophy.

The competition itself is intense but joyful. Competitors have 60 seconds to put their all – explosive energy, precise mimicry, stage magnetism – on an nonexistent axe. Judges rate you on a point range from a specific numeric range. When it's a draw, there’s an “air-off” between the remaining participants: a tune begins and you create on the spot.

Preparation is everything. I selected an Avenged Sevenfold song for my performance. I had it on repeat for weeks. I stretched constantly, trying to get my limbs flexible enough to bound, my hands quick enough to copy riffs and my back prepared for those moves and leaps. By the time the event dawned, I could sense the music in my soul.

Once all acts were done, the points were announced, and I had tied with the titleholder from Japan, a competitor known as Sudo-chan – it was occasion for an tiebreaker. We went head-to-head to the Guns N’ Roses hit 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 play again. As they declared I’d triumphed, the area exploded.

It's all a bit fuzzy. I think I lost consciousness from the excitement. Then all present started singing Neil Young’s that well-known track and lifted me on to their backs. A former champion – alias Nordic Thunder – a former champion and one of my best pals, was holding me. I cried. I was the inaugural from Finland air guitar international titleholder in two and a half decades. The previous Finnish champion, the earlier victor, was there, too. He bestowed upon me the most heartfelt squeeze and said it was “finally happening”.

The air guitar community is like a close-knit group. Our motto is “Focus on fun, not fighting”. It may seem humorous, but it’s a genuine belief. Competitors come from all over the world, and all involved is supportive and encouraging. As you prepare to compete, each contestant shows support. Then for 60 seconds you’re allowed to be free, humorous, the top performer in the world.

Additionally, I am a beat keeper and guitarist in a group with my family member called the group title, inspired by Gareth Southgate, as we’re inspired by UK rock and post-punk. I’ve been serving drinks for a few years now, and I direct mini movies and song visuals. The victory hasn’t affected my daily activities significantly but I’ve been doing a many interviews, and I wish it leads to more artistic projects. My hometown will be a designated cultural center the coming year, so there are great prospects.

For now, I’m just grateful: for the group, for the ability to compete, and for that little kid who found a story and thought, “I want to do that.”