I Am the Air Guitar International Titleholder

Back when I was 10, I read about a feature in my local paper about the World Air Guitar Competition, which take place every year in my native city of Oulu, Finland. My family had helped out at the inaugural contest since 1996 – my mum distributed flyers, my dad organized the music. From that point, national championships have been organized all across the world, with the champions gathering in Oulu annually.

Initially, I requested permission if I could compete. They weren't sure at first; the show was in a bar, and there would be an older crowd. They thought it might be an daunting atmosphere, but I was set on it.

During childhood, I was always “playing” air guitar, miming along to the iconic rock tunes with my make-believe instrument. My family were lovers of music – my father loved The Boss and the Irish rock band. the band AC/DC was the first band I found independently. the guitarist, the guitar hero, was my inspiration.

As I took the stage, I played my set to AC/DC’s the song Whole Lotta Rosie. The spectators started shouting “Angus”, just like the concert version, and it struck me: this is what it feels like to be a rock star. I advanced to the last round, playing to hundreds of people in Oulu’s market square, and I was captivated. I earned the moniker “Little Angus” that day.

Later I paused. I was a judge one year, and started the show another time, but I didn’t compete. I went back at 18, experimented with various stage names, but fans continued using “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 placed second, so I was set to win this year.

The air guitar community is like a close-knit group. The saying we live by is ‘Make air, not war’. It sounds silly, but it’s a genuine belief.

The event is intense but joyful. Participants have 60 seconds to give everything – explosive energy, precise mimicry, rock star charisma – on an imaginary instrument. Adjudicators score you on a scale from a specific numeric range. When it's a draw, there’s an “air-off” between the final two contestants: a tune begins and you create on the spot.

Preparation is everything. I chose an a metal group song for my performance. I had it on repeat for weeks. I stretched constantly, trying to get my legs prepared enough to leap, my fingers nimble enough to copy riffs and my spine prepared for those moves and leaps. When the big day arrived, I could sense the music in my soul.

When the show concluded, the points were announced, and I had matched with the winner from Japan, Yuta “Sudo-chan” Sudo – it was occasion for an tiebreaker. We faced off to Sweet Child o’ Mine by Guns N’ Roses. Once the track began, I felt comforted because it was familiar to me, and primarily I was so eager to perform one more time. As they declared I’d emerged victorious, the area went wild.

My memory is blurry. I think I lost consciousness from surprise. Then all present started chanting the classic tune the anthem Rockin' in the Free World and lifted me on to their shoulders. A former champion – also known as Nordic Thunder – a past winner and one of my dear companions, was holding me. I shed tears. I was the inaugural from Finland air guitar global winner in two and a half decades. The previous Finnish champion, the earlier victor, was also present. He bestowed upon me the warmest embrace and said it was “about damn time”.

Our global network is like a family. Our guiding saying is “Focus on fun, not fighting”. It sounds silly, but it’s a genuine belief. Participants come from globally, and all involved is supportive and encouraging. Before you go on stage, every competitor offers an embrace. Then for a brief period you’re able to be yourself, playful, the top performer in the world.

Besides that, I'm a drummer and string player in a group with my sibling called the band name, inspired by the football manager, as we’re fans of UK rock and post-punk. I’ve been serving drinks for a short time, and I create short films and song visuals. The victory hasn’t changed my day-to-day life too much but I’ve been doing a lot of press, and I hope it leads to more artistic projects. The city will be a cultural hub soon, so there are great prospects.

For now, I’m just thankful: for the group, for the ability to compete, and for that little kid who found a story and thought, “That's for me.”