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When I was just 10, I read about a article in my community gazette about the Air Guitar World Championships, held annually every year in my native city of Oulu, Finland. My family had participated at the very first contest since 1996 – mom distributed flyers, dad managed the music. Ever since, domestic competitions have been staged in many nations, with the titleholders converging in Oulu each August.

Back then, I asked my parents if I could participate. At first they were hesitant; the event was in a bar, and there would be many grown-ups. They believed it might be an daunting atmosphere, but I was determined.

In my youth, I was always “playing” air guitar, miming along to the most popular rock tunes with my imaginary instrument. My family were lovers of music – dad loved Springsteen and U2. AC/DC was the initial group I discovered on my own. Angus Young, the lead guitarist, was my hero.

As I took the stage, I played my set to the band's the song Whole Lotta Rosie. The crowd started shouting “Angus”, similar to the concert version, and it struck me: so this is to be a rock star. I made it to the finals, competing to crowds in Oulu’s market square, and I was hooked. I earned the moniker “Little Angus” that day.

After that I stopped. I was a adjudicator one year, and started the show another time, but I didn’t compete. I returned at 18, tested out several stage names, but people kept calling me “Little Angus” so I embraced it and choose “The Angus” as my artist name. I’ve reached the finals annually from 2022 onward, and in 2023 I was the runner-up, so I was resolved to claim victory this year.

Our global network is like a support system. The saying we live by is ‘Play air guitar, avoid battles’. Though it appears humorous, but it’s a real philosophy.

The event is intense but joyful. Competitors have a short window to give everything – dynamic presence, perfect mime, performance charm – on an nonexistent axe. The panel evaluate you on a scale from 4.0 to 6.0. If scores are equal, there’s an “tiebreaker” between the final two contestants: a song plays and you improvise.

Getting ready is key. I selected an the band Avenged Sevenfold song for my routine. I played it repeatedly for weeks. I did regular stretches, trying to get my lower body flexible enough to bound, my digits nimble enough to mimic solos and my spine prepared for those bends and jumps. By the time competition day came, I could internalize the track in my soul.

After everyone had performed, the results were tallied, and I had tied with the Japanese champion, the Japanese titleholder – it was occasion for an final showdown. We went head-to-head to that classic rock anthem by the rock group. When I heard the song, I felt relieved because it was familiar to me, and above all I was so eager to play again. As they declared I’d won, the square exploded.

The moment is hazy. I think I zoned out from shock. Then the crowd started singing the classic tune the anthem Rockin' in the Free World and raised me up on to their backs. Justin Howard – also known as his stage name – a previous titleholder and one of my closest friends, was hugging me. I wept. I was the first Finnish air guitar international titleholder in two and a half decades. The prior titleholder, Markus “Black Raven” Vainionpää, was there, too. He bestowed upon me the most heartfelt squeeze and said it was “about damn time”.

This worldwide group is like a close-knit group. Our guiding saying is “Make air, not war”. It sounds silly, but it’s a genuine belief. People come from all over the world, and everyone is supportive and encouraging. Before you go on stage, each contestant offers an embrace. Then for one minute you’re free to be uninhibited, silly, the biggest rock star in the world.

I’m also a drummer and string player in a band with my brother called the band name, named after the sports figure, as we’re inspired by British music genres. I’ve been working in bars for a couple of years, and I create independent videos and performance clips. The victory hasn’t changed my day-to-day life drastically but I’ve been doing a many interviews, and I wish it brings more creative work. Oulu will be a cultural hub next year, so there are promising opportunities.

At present, I’m just grateful: for the network, for the ability to compete, and for that budding enthusiast who read an article and thought, “I want to do that.”