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When I was just 10, I read about a article in my community gazette about the Air Guitar World Championships, that happens every year in my birthplace of Oulu, Finland. My family had volunteered at the pioneering contest starting from 1996 – my mum gave out flyers, my father organized the music. Since then, country-level contests have been staged globally, with the champions converging in Oulu annually.

At the time, I inquired with my family if I could enter. At first they were hesitant; the event was in a bar, and there would be an older crowd. They believed 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 biggest rock tunes with my make-believe instrument. Mom and Dad were music fans – my father loved Springsteen and the Irish rock band. the band AC/DC was the first band I found independently. Angus Young, the lead guitarist, was my idol.

Upon entering the spotlight, I played my set to AC/DC’s Whole Lotta Rosie. The crowd started yelling “Angus”, just like the concert version, and it struck me: this is what it feels like to be a music icon. I advanced to the last round, competing to crowds in the public plaza, and I was hooked. I got the nickname “Little Angus” that day.

After that I stopped. 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, experimented with various stage names, but everyone still referred to me as “Little Angus” so I decided to own it and make “The Angus” as my performance alias. I’ve made it to the final annually from 2022 onward, and in 2023 I came second, so I was set to take the title this year.

The air guitar community is like a family. Our guiding principle is ‘Play air guitar, avoid battles’. Though it appears humorous, but it’s a true ethos.

The competition itself is high-energy yet fun. Participants have a short window to put their all – explosive energy, perfect mime, rock star charisma – on an nonexistent axe. Judges score you on a grading system from four to six. In the case of a tie, there’s an “tiebreaker” between the remaining participants: a tune begins and you freestyle.

Training is crucial. I chose an the band Avenged Sevenfold song for my act. I played it repeatedly for multiple weeks. I stretched constantly, trying to get my lower body prepared enough to bound, my hands fast enough to mimic solos and my upper body set for those bends and jumps. When the big day dawned, I could sense the music in my being.

Once all acts were done, the scores came in, and I had drawn with the titleholder from Japan, a competitor known as Sudo-chan – it was time for an air-off. We competed directly to that classic rock anthem by the rock group. As the music started, I felt comforted because it was familiar to me, and above all I was so excited to perform one more time. Once the results were read I’d won, the area exploded.

It's all a bit fuzzy. I think I blacked out from surprise. Then all present started singing Neil Young’s that well-known track and raised me up on to their arms. Justin Howard – also known as Nordic Thunder – a former champion and one of my dear companions, was hugging me. I wept. I was the inaugural from Finland air guitar international titleholder in 25 years. The prior titleholder, the earlier victor, was also present. He gave me the biggest hug and said it was “long overdue”.

This worldwide group is like a family. The phrase we live by is “Create music, not conflict”. It sounds silly, but it’s a genuine belief. People come from globally, and each person is helpful and motivating. Before you go on stage, every competitor shows support. Then for a brief period you’re able to be uninhibited, humorous, the top performer in the world.

I’m also a beat keeper and string player in a musical act with my sibling called the band name, referencing the football manager, as we’re influenced by UK rock and post-punk. I’ve been serving drinks for a few years now, and I create mini movies and music videos. The title hasn’t changed my day-to-day life significantly but I’ve been doing a lot of press, and I aspire it results in more innovative opportunities. My hometown will be a cultural hub the coming year, so there are promising opportunities.

Currently, I’m just appreciative: for the community, for the opportunity to play, and for that budding enthusiast who read an article and thought, “I'd love to try that.”