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Back when I was 10, I read about a article in my local paper about the Air Guitar World Championships, held annually every year in my hometown of Oulu, Finland. Mom and Dad had volunteered at the very first contest starting from 1996 – my mother handed out flyers, dad managed the music. Since then, country-level contests have been held in many nations, with the titleholders assembling in Oulu annually.

Initially, I requested permission if I could compete. Initially they had doubts; the competition 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.

In my youth, I was always performing air guitar, acting out to the iconic rock tunes with my make-believe instrument. Mom and Dad were enthusiasts – my father loved Bruce Springsteen and U2. the band AC/DC was the original act I stumbled upon myself. the lead guitarist, the lead guitarist, was my hero.

When I stepped on stage, I did my routine to the band's the song Whole Lotta Rosie. The crowd started yelling “Angus”, reminiscent of the concert version, and it dawned on me: so this is to be a music icon. I made it to the finals, competing to a large audience in Oulu’s market square, and I was addicted. I got the nickname “Little Angus” that day.

Then I took a break. I was a referee one year, and kicked off the show on another occasion, but I stayed out of the contest. I came back at 18, tested out several stage names, but people kept calling me “Little Angus” so I accepted it fully and choose “The Angus” as my stage name. I’ve qualified for the last round every year since 2022, and in 2023 I came second, so I was set to take the title this year.

Our global network is like a family. Our guiding principle is ‘Make air, not war’. It may seem funny, but it’s a true ethos.

The event is competitive but uplifting. Contestants have 60 seconds to give everything – high-powered performance, flawless imitation, rock star charisma – on an imaginary instrument. The panel evaluate you on a grading system from a specific numeric range. If scores are equal, there’s an “air-off” between the last two competitors: a song plays and you improvise.

Preparation is everything. I chose an the band Avenged Sevenfold song for my routine. I had it on repeat for multiple weeks. I did regular stretches, trying to get my legs flexible enough to bound, my digits quick enough to imitate guitar parts and my upper body prepared for those moves and leaps. When the big day dawned, I could internalize the track in my soul.

When the show concluded, the results were tallied, and I had drawn with the titleholder from Japan, the Japanese titleholder – it was time for an air-off. We went head-to-head to the Guns N’ Roses hit by the rock group. Once the track began, I felt comforted because it was familiar to me, and primarily I was so thrilled to perform one more time. As they declared I’d won, the venue erupted.

My memory is blurry. I think I blacked out from the excitement. Then all present started performing Neil Young’s the anthem Rockin' in the Free World and raised me up on to their arms. Justin Howard – alias Nordic Thunder – a previous titleholder and one of my closest friends, was holding me. I wept. I was Finland’s first air guitar international titleholder in 25 years. The earlier winner from Finland, the former champion, was also present. He bestowed upon me the warmest embrace and said it was “finally happening”.

The air guitar community is like a family. Our motto is “Make air, not war”. It may seem humorous, but it’s a real philosophy. Participants come from all over the world, and all involved is supportive and encouraging. As you prepare to compete, all participants offers an embrace. Then for one minute you’re free to be yourself, silly, the top performer in the world.

Besides that, I'm a beat keeper and musician in a group with my brother called the Southgates, named after the sports figure, as we’re influenced by Britpop and new wave. I’ve been working in bars for a short time, and I direct short films and performance clips. The victory hasn’t altered my routine too much but I’ve been doing a many interviews, and I aspire it results in more innovative opportunities. The city will be a cultural hub soon, so there are promising opportunities.

For now, I’m just thankful: for the network, for the chance to perform, and for that young child who picked up a newspaper and thought, “That's for me.”