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At the age of 10, I came across a feature in my hometown newspaper about the World Air Guitar Competition, held annually every year in my native city of Oulu, Finland. My parents had participated at the very first contest since 1996 – my mother gave out flyers, my dad organized the music. Ever since, domestic competitions have been held all across the world, with the titleholders converging in Oulu every summer.

Initially, I asked my parents if I could participate. At first they were hesitant; the competition was in a bar, and there would be a lot of adults. They believed it might be an daunting atmosphere, but I was resolved.

During childhood, I was always performing air guitar, acting out to the biggest rock tunes with my make-believe instrument. My family were music fans – dad loved The Boss and U2. the band AC/DC was the initial group I found independently. Angus Young, the lead guitarist, was my hero.

As I took the stage, I played my set to AC/DC’s Whole Lotta Rosie. The crowd started yelling “Angus”, similar to the album track, and it struck me: so this is to be a music icon. I reached the championship, competing to a large audience in the public plaza, and I was addicted. I earned the moniker “Little Angus” that day.

After that I stopped. I was a judge one year, and opened for the show another time, but I didn’t compete. I went back at 18, tested out several 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 made it to the final annually from 2022 onward, and in 2023 I placed second, so I was resolved to claim victory this year.

The air guitar community is like a family. The saying we live by is ‘Create music, not conflict’. It sounds silly, but it’s a true ethos.

The event is intense but joyful. Contestants have one minute to deliver maximum effort – dynamic presence, flawless imitation, rock star charisma – on an invisible guitar. Judges rate you on a point range from four to six. When it's a draw, there’s an “tiebreaker” between the final two contestants: a song plays and you improvise.

Preparation is everything. I chose an a metal group song for my act. I played it repeatedly for multiple weeks. I practiced flexibility, trying to get my lower body flexible enough to leap, my digits nimble enough to imitate guitar parts and my back prepared for those gestures and hops. When competition day came, I could internalize the track in my being.

When the show concluded, the points were announced, and I had drawn with the titleholder from Japan, a competitor known as Sudo-chan – it was moment for an tiebreaker. We faced off to the Guns N’ Roses hit by the rock group. As the music started, I felt at ease because it was a tune I recognized, and above all I was so eager to have another go. Once the results were read I’d emerged victorious, the area erupted.

The moment is hazy. I think I zoned out from the excitement. Then all present started singing the song that well-known track and hoisted me on to their arms. One of the greats – AKA his stage name – a former champion and one of my best pals, was hugging me. I cried. I was the first Finnish air guitar international titleholder in a quarter-century. The prior titleholder, the earlier victor, was there, too. He gave me the warmest embrace 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”. Though it appears comical, but it’s a genuine belief. People come from many countries, and each person is positive and uplifting. As you prepare to compete, each contestant offers an embrace. Then for one minute you’re able to be uninhibited, playful, the biggest rock star in the world.

Additionally, I am a drummer and guitarist in a group with my sibling called the Southgates, inspired by the sports figure, as we’re influenced by British music genres. I’ve been bartending for a few years now, and I create mini movies and music videos. Winning hasn’t affected my daily activities too much but I’ve been doing a many interviews, and I hope it results in more creative work. Oulu will be a designated cultural center the coming year, so there are exciting things ahead.

Currently, I’m just appreciative: for the group, for the ability to compete, and for that budding enthusiast who found a story and thought, “I'd love to try that.”