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At the age of 10, I read about a article in my local paper about the World Air Guitar Competition, that happens every year in my hometown of Oulu, Finland. My family had volunteered at the inaugural contest back in 1996 – mom handed out flyers, my dad organized the music. Since then, country-level contests have been staged in many nations, with the titleholders assembling in Oulu every summer.

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

As a kid, I was always miming air guitar, acting out to the most popular rock tunes with my invisible instrument. My parents were enthusiasts – my dad loved Bruce Springsteen and the Irish rock band. AC/DC was the initial group I discovered on my own. Angus Young, the guitar hero, was my inspiration.

When I stepped on stage, I played my set to AC/DC’s Whole Lotta Rosie. The crowd started chanting “Angus”, similar to the concert version, and it struck me: so this is to be a guitar hero. I made it to the finals, playing 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 went back 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 stage name. I’ve reached the finals each competition since then, and in 2023 I placed second, so I was set to win this year.

Our global network is like a close-knit group. Our motto is ‘Play air guitar, avoid battles’. It may seem funny, but it’s a real philosophy.

The event is competitive but uplifting. Competitors have 60 seconds to put their all – dynamic presence, flawless imitation, stage magnetism – on an imaginary instrument. The panel score you on a scale from four to six. When it's a draw, there’s an “showdown” between the final two contestants: a track is selected and you improvise.

Preparation is everything. I chose an the band Avenged Sevenfold song for my performance. I had it on repeat for weeks. I stretched constantly, trying to get my lower body loose enough to bound, my digits quick enough to imitate guitar parts and my back set for those gestures and hops. By the time competition day came, I could feel the song in my bones.

When the show concluded, the scores came in, and I had matched with the titleholder from Japan, the Japanese titleholder – it was moment for an air-off. We went head-to-head to that classic rock anthem by Guns N’ Roses. As the music started, I felt comforted because it was familiar to me, and primarily I was so eager to play again. When they announced I’d triumphed, the square erupted.

The moment is hazy. I think I lost consciousness from surprise. Then the crowd started chanting the classic tune Rockin’ in the Free World and lifted me on to their shoulders. Justin Howard – alias Nordic Thunder – a past winner and one of my closest friends, was holding me. I cried. I was the inaugural from Finland air guitar global winner in 25 years. The earlier winner from Finland, the former champion, was also present. He offered me the most heartfelt squeeze and said it was “finally happening”.

This worldwide group is like a family. The phrase we live by is “Make air, not war”. It sounds silly, but it’s a genuine belief. People come from many countries, 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 uninhibited, silly, the top performer in the world.

Besides that, I'm a drummer and string player in a band with my brother called the group title, named after the sports figure, 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 changed my day-to-day life drastically but I’ve been doing a lot of press, and I hope it results in more artistic projects. Oulu will be a European capital of culture the coming year, so there are great prospects.

For now, I’m just thankful: for the network, for the opportunity to play, and for that little kid who read an article and thought, “I'd love to try that.”