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At the age of 10, I read about a story in my hometown newspaper about the Global Air Guitar Contest, held annually every year in my hometown of Oulu, Finland. Mom and Dad had volunteered at the very first contest starting from 1996 – my mother handed out flyers, my father sorted the music. From that point, country-level contests have been staged all across the world, with the titleholders assembling in Oulu every summer.

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

As a kid, I was always miming air guitar, pretending to play to the most popular rock tunes with my imaginary instrument. My parents were music fans – my father loved Springsteen and U2. the Australian rockers was the initial group I discovered on my own. the lead guitarist, the guitar hero, was my inspiration.

Upon entering the spotlight, I performed my act to AC/DC’s the song Whole Lotta Rosie. The audience started yelling “Angus”, reminiscent of the concert version, and it struck me: so this is to be a rock star. I advanced to the last round, competing to hundreds of people in the town square, and I was captivated. I earned the moniker “Little Angus” that day.

Later I paused. I was a referee one year, and kicked off the show on another occasion, but I didn't participate. 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 adopt “The Angus” as my stage name. I’ve qualified for the last round every year since 2022, and in 2023 I placed second, so I was set to win this year.

Our global network is like a support system. Our motto is ‘Create music, not conflict’. It sounds silly, but it’s a genuine belief.

The contest is intense but joyful. Competitors have 60 seconds to put their all – dynamic presence, perfect mime, performance charm – on an imaginary instrument. Adjudicators evaluate you on a grading system from a specific numeric range. When it's a draw, there’s an “tiebreaker” between the last two competitors: a song plays and you create on the spot.

Getting ready is key. I picked an Avenged Sevenfold song for my routine. I listened to it on a loop for weeks. I practiced flexibility, trying to get my lower body flexible enough to bound, my digits fast enough to copy riffs and my upper body set for those moves and leaps. By the time the big day came, I could feel the song in my bones.

After everyone had performed, the results were tallied, and I had tied with the winner from Japan, Yuta “Sudo-chan” Sudo – it was time for an final showdown. We competed directly to the Guns N’ Roses hit by the rock group. When I heard the song, I felt comforted because it was one that I knew, and above all I was so eager to play again. As they declared I’d triumphed, the square went wild.

It's all a bit fuzzy. I think I lost consciousness from shock. Then the crowd started performing the song the anthem Rockin' in the Free World and hoisted me on to their shoulders. A former champion – alias his performer title – a past winner and one of my best pals, was hugging me. I shed tears. I was the inaugural from Finland air guitar world champion in two and a half decades. The previous Finnish champion, the earlier victor, was also present. He offered me the most heartfelt squeeze and said it was “finally happening”.

The air guitar community is like a family. The phrase we live by is “Create music, not conflict”. Though it appears comical, but it’s a real philosophy. Competitors come from all over the world, and everyone is supportive and encouraging. As you prepare to compete, each contestant comes and hugs you. Then for a brief period you’re free to be free, playful, the ultimate music icon in the world.

Besides that, I'm a percussionist and string player in a band with my brother called the group title, referencing Gareth Southgate, as we’re influenced by Britpop and new wave. I’ve been working in bars for a couple of years, and I direct short films and music videos. Winning hasn’t altered my routine too much but I’ve been doing a lot of press, and I aspire it brings more artistic projects. My hometown will be a cultural hub next year, so there are promising opportunities.

For now, I’m just appreciative: for the network, for the chance to perform, and for that budding enthusiast who read an article and thought, “I want to do that.”