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Back when I was 10, I came across a feature in my hometown newspaper about the World Air Guitar Competition, that happens every year in my hometown of Oulu, Finland. Mom and Dad had participated at the very first contest back in 1996 – my mother gave out flyers, my father organized the music. From that point, country-level contests have been held all across the world, with the winners assembling in Oulu each August.

Initially, I inquired with my family 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.

As a kid, I was always miming air guitar, miming along to the iconic rock tunes with my make-believe instrument. My parents were music fans – my dad loved Springsteen and U2. the Australian rockers was the initial group I discovered on my own. Angus Young, the lead guitarist, was my idol.

Upon entering the spotlight, I performed my act to the band's Whole Lotta Rosie. The crowd started chanting “Angus”, reminiscent of the album track, and it dawned on me: so this is to be a guitar hero. I reached the championship, performing to crowds in Oulu’s market square, and I was captivated. I was dubbed “Little Angus” that day.

After that I stopped. I was a referee one year, and kicked off the show another time, but I stayed out of the contest. I returned at 18, tried a few different stage names, but people kept calling me “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 was the runner-up, so I was determined to claim victory this year.

The air guitar community is like a support system. Our motto is ‘Make air, not war’. It sounds silly, but it’s a true ethos.

The contest is competitive but uplifting. Participants have one minute to give everything – high-powered performance, precise mimicry, performance charm – on an nonexistent axe. Judges score you on a scale from a specific numeric range. If scores are equal, there’s an “air-off” between the last two competitors: a song plays and you improvise.

Getting ready is key. I chose an Avenged Sevenfold song for my routine. I played it repeatedly for weeks. I did regular stretches, trying to get my limbs prepared enough to leap, my hands fast enough to copy riffs and my spine set for those gestures and hops. By the time the big day arrived, I could feel the song in my soul.

Once all acts were done, the results were tallied, and I had tied with the Japanese champion, a competitor known as Sudo-chan – it was moment for an air-off. We went head-to-head to the Guns N’ Roses hit by the iconic band. When I heard the song, I felt comforted because it was a tune I recognized, and more than anything I was so thrilled to perform one more time. As they declared I’d emerged victorious, the area erupted.

The moment is hazy. I think I lost consciousness from shock. Then all present started singing the song that well-known track and lifted me on to their shoulders. A former champion – AKA his stage name – a former champion and one of my dear companions, was hugging me. I cried. I was the inaugural from Finland air guitar global winner in a quarter-century. The earlier winner from Finland, Markus “Black Raven” Vainionpää, was there, too. He gave me the warmest embrace and said it was “long overdue”.

Our global network is like a close-knit group. Our guiding saying is “Make air, not war”. It may seem humorous, but it’s a real philosophy. Competitors come from many countries, and each person is positive and uplifting. Before you go on stage, all participants offers an embrace. Then for a brief period you’re allowed to be yourself, playful, the top performer in the world.

Additionally, I am a beat keeper and musician in a band with my sibling called the group title, referencing Gareth Southgate, as we’re fans of British music genres. I’ve been serving drinks for a few years now, and I produce short films and performance clips. Winning hasn’t affected my daily activities significantly but I’ve been doing a extensive media, and I aspire it brings more creative work. My hometown will be a cultural hub soon, so there are exciting things ahead.

At present, I’m just grateful: for the group, for the chance to perform, and for that young child who picked up a newspaper and thought, “I want to do that.”