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Back when I was 10, I came across a article in my local paper about the Global Air Guitar Contest, held annually every year in my native city of Oulu, Finland. My family had helped out at the inaugural contest since 1996 – my mum handed out flyers, my father sorted the music. Ever since, country-level contests have been held in many nations, with the winners assembling in Oulu annually.

Initially, I asked my parents if I could compete. Initially they had doubts; the event was in a bar, and there would be many grown-ups. They believed it might be an intimidating atmosphere, but I was set on it.

During childhood, I was always miming air guitar, pretending to play to the iconic rock tunes with my imaginary instrument. My family were enthusiasts – my father loved The Boss and U2. the Australian rockers was the initial group I stumbled upon myself. the lead guitarist, the lead guitarist, was my idol.

When I stepped on stage, I played my set to the band's Whole Lotta Rosie. The audience started chanting “Angus”, similar to the album track, and it hit me: this must be to be a music icon. I advanced to the last round, competing to hundreds of people in the town square, and I was captivated. I got the nickname “Little Angus” that day.

Then I took a break. I was a judge one year, and started the show another time, but I didn't participate. I came back at 18, experimented with various stage names, but fans continued using “Little Angus” so I decided to own it and adopt “The Angus” as my stage name. I’ve reached the finals every year since 2022, and in 2023 I was the runner-up, so I was determined to claim victory this year.

Our global network is like a support system. Our motto is ‘Play air guitar, avoid battles’. It may seem funny, but it’s a true ethos.

The contest is competitive but uplifting. Competitors have a short window to put their all – dynamic presence, flawless imitation, performance charm – on an invisible guitar. Adjudicators score you on a point range from 4.0 to 6.0. In the case of a tie, there’s an “tiebreaker” between the remaining participants: a song plays and you freestyle.

Training is crucial. I chose an a metal group song for my performance. I had it on repeat for a long time. I did regular stretches, trying to get my limbs flexible enough to leap, my fingers fast enough to mimic solos and my spine set for those moves and leaps. When the big day came, I could internalize the track in my bones.

After everyone had performed, the scores came in, and I had drawn with the Japanese champion, Yuta “Sudo-chan” Sudo – it was time for an tiebreaker. We competed directly to the Guns N’ Roses hit by the iconic band. Once the track began, I felt relieved because it was familiar to me, and primarily I was so excited to perform one more time. Once the results were read I’d emerged victorious, the square erupted.

My memory is blurry. I think I lost consciousness from surprise. Then the crowd started performing the classic tune that well-known track and lifted me on to their shoulders. One of the greats – also known as his stage name – a previous titleholder and one of my closest friends, was embracing me. I cried. I was the first Finnish air guitar world champion in two and a half decades. The earlier winner from Finland, the earlier victor, was there, too. He gave me the most heartfelt squeeze and said it was “about damn time”.

Our global network is like a family. Our motto is “Focus on fun, not fighting”. Though it appears comical, but it’s a true way of life. Participants come from all over the world, and all involved is supportive and encouraging. Before you go on stage, all participants comes and hugs you. Then for 60 seconds you’re allowed to be free, silly, the top performer in the world.

Additionally, I am a drummer and string player in a musical act with my family member called the Southgates, named after the football manager, as we’re influenced by Britpop and new wave. I’ve been serving drinks for a couple of years, and I create independent videos and song visuals. The victory hasn’t changed my day-to-day life significantly but I’ve been doing a many interviews, and I hope it leads to more artistic projects. The city will be a cultural hub the coming year, so there are exciting things ahead.

For now, I’m just appreciative: for the community, for the ability to compete, and for that young child who picked up a newspaper and thought, “I want to do that.”