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When I was just 10, I read about a feature in my local paper about the Air Guitar World Championships, held annually every year in my birthplace of Oulu, Finland. My family had volunteered at the pioneering contest since 1996 – mom handed out flyers, my father organized the music. Since then, national championships have been held all across the world, with the titleholders assembling in Oulu every summer.

At the time, I inquired with my family if I could enter. Initially they had doubts; the show was in a bar, and there would be many grown-ups. They felt it might be an overwhelming atmosphere, but I was set on it.

As a kid, I was always performing air guitar, pretending to play to the most popular rock tunes with my invisible instrument. My family were lovers of music – my dad loved Bruce Springsteen and U2. AC/DC was the original act I found independently. Angus Young, the guitar hero, was my idol.

When I stepped on stage, I played my set to AC/DC’s Whole Lotta Rosie. The spectators started shouting “Angus”, similar to the concert version, and it hit me: this must be to be a music icon. I reached the championship, playing to a large audience in the town square, and I was hooked. I was dubbed “Little Angus” that day.

Later I paused. I was a adjudicator one year, and kicked off the show another time, but I didn't participate. I came back at 18, tried a few different stage names, but everyone still referred to me as “Little Angus” so I embraced it and make “The Angus” as my performance alias. I’ve qualified for the last round each competition since then, and in 2023 I placed second, so I was determined to claim victory this year.

The worldwide group is like a support system. The saying we live by is ‘Create music, not conflict’. It sounds silly, but it’s a real philosophy.

The event is high-energy yet fun. Competitors have 60 seconds to give everything – high-powered performance, perfect mime, stage magnetism – on an nonexistent axe. Adjudicators score you on a scale from four to six. When it's a draw, there’s an “tiebreaker” between the final two contestants: a song plays and you create on the spot.

Preparation is everything. I selected an a metal group song for my routine. I played it repeatedly for weeks. I did regular stretches, trying to get my legs flexible enough to bound, my digits nimble enough to copy riffs and my spine ready for those gestures and hops. By the time competition day came, I could feel the song in my bones.

After everyone had performed, the scores came in, and I had drawn with the winner from Japan, Yuta “Sudo-chan” Sudo – it was occasion for an air-off. We faced off to the Guns N’ Roses hit by the rock group. When I heard the song, I felt at ease because it was a tune I recognized, and primarily I was so eager to have another go. When they announced I’d won, the square exploded.

The moment is hazy. I think I lost consciousness from surprise. Then the crowd started singing Neil Young’s that well-known track and hoisted me on to their shoulders. One of the greats – alias Nordic Thunder – a former champion and one of my best pals, was hugging me. I cried. I was Finland’s first air guitar global winner in a quarter-century. The prior titleholder, Markus “Black Raven” Vainionpää, was there, too. He offered me the biggest hug and said it was “about damn time”.

Our global network is like a family. The phrase we live by is “Make air, not war”. Though it appears comical, but it’s a true way of life. Participants come from globally, and all involved is helpful and motivating. As you prepare to compete, all participants comes and hugs you. Then for a brief period you’re allowed to be yourself, humorous, the top performer in the world.

Besides that, I'm a percussionist and string player in a group with my family member called the Southgates, inspired by the football manager, as we’re fans of Britpop and new wave. I’ve been working in bars for a few years now, and I direct short films and performance clips. The title hasn’t changed my day-to-day life drastically but I’ve been doing a lot of press, and I wish it brings more innovative opportunities. My hometown will be a designated cultural center next year, so there are exciting things ahead.

At present, I’m just thankful: for the network, for the chance to perform, and for that budding enthusiast who read an article and thought, “I'd love to try that.”