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At the age of 10, I read about a feature in my local paper about the Air Guitar World Championships, which take place every year in my hometown of Oulu, Finland. My family had volunteered at the inaugural contest starting from 1996 – mom gave out flyers, my father sorted the music. Ever since, national championships have been organized all across the world, with the winners gathering in Oulu each August.

Initially, I inquired with my family if I could enter. Initially they had doubts; the show was in a bar, and there would be a lot of adults. They believed it might be an daunting atmosphere, but I was set on it.

In my youth, I was always miming air guitar, miming along to the iconic rock tunes with my make-believe instrument. My family were lovers of music – dad loved Bruce Springsteen and the Irish rock band. the band AC/DC was the original act I discovered on my own. the guitarist, the lead guitarist, was my idol.

As I took the stage, I played my set to the band's Whole Lotta Rosie. The crowd started yelling “Angus”, similar to the concert version, and it dawned on me: this is what it feels like to be a music icon. I reached the championship, performing to hundreds of people in the public plaza, and I was addicted. I was dubbed “Little Angus” that day.

Then I took a break. I was a adjudicator one year, and opened for the show on another occasion, but I didn’t compete. I returned at 18, experimented with various stage names, but people kept calling me “Little Angus” so I decided to own it and make “The Angus” as my stage name. I’ve made it to the final each competition since then, and in 2023 I placed second, so I was determined to take the title this year.

The worldwide group is like a close-knit group. Our guiding principle is ‘Play air guitar, avoid battles’. It may seem funny, but it’s a real philosophy.

The contest is competitive but uplifting. Competitors have 60 seconds to give everything – dynamic presence, perfect mime, rock star charisma – on an imaginary instrument. The panel rate you on a grading system from four to six. If scores are equal, there’s an “tiebreaker” between the last two competitors: a song plays and you create on the spot.

Getting ready is key. I selected an the band Avenged Sevenfold song for my performance. I played it repeatedly for multiple weeks. I practiced flexibility, trying to get my limbs loose enough to bound, my fingers fast enough to mimic solos and my spine ready for those gestures and hops. Once the event came, I could sense the music in my soul.

After everyone had performed, the results were tallied, and I had tied with the winner from Japan, Yuta “Sudo-chan” Sudo – it was moment for an final showdown. We went head-to-head to that classic rock anthem by the rock group. As the music started, I felt at ease because it was familiar to me, and above all I was so thrilled to play again. When they announced I’d won, the square exploded.

It's all a bit fuzzy. I think I blacked out from the excitement. Then everyone started chanting the song that well-known track and raised me up on to their backs. Justin Howard – alias his stage name – a former champion and one of my closest friends, was hugging me. I wept. I was the inaugural from Finland air guitar global winner in a quarter-century. The prior titleholder, the former champion, 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 guiding saying is “Focus on fun, not fighting”. It may seem humorous, but it’s a true way of life. Competitors come from globally, and each person is positive and uplifting. As you prepare to compete, all participants offers an embrace. Then for a brief period you’re able to be free, playful, the biggest rock star in the world.

Additionally, I am a percussionist and guitarist in a musical act with my family member called the Southgates, named after Gareth Southgate, as we’re inspired by UK rock and post-punk. I’ve been bartending for a short time, and I produce independent videos and performance clips. Winning hasn’t changed my day-to-day life too much but I’ve been doing a many interviews, and I aspire it leads to more artistic projects. My hometown will be a cultural hub next year, so there are great prospects.

At present, I’m just thankful: for the group, for the chance to perform, and for that budding enthusiast who found a story and thought, “That's for me.”