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Back when I was 10, I read about a article in my local paper about the Air Guitar World Championships, which take place every year in my native city of Oulu, Finland. Mom and Dad had volunteered at the inaugural contest since 1996 – mom handed out flyers, my father managed the music. Ever since, domestic competitions have been organized globally, with the winners converging in Oulu every summer.

Back then, I inquired with my family if I could compete. At first they were hesitant; the event was in a bar, and there would be a lot of adults. They believed it might be an daunting atmosphere, but I was determined.

As a kid, I was always “playing” air guitar, pretending to play to the iconic rock tunes with my imaginary instrument. My parents were enthusiasts – my father loved Springsteen and U2. the Australian rockers was the first band I found independently. Angus Young, the lead guitarist, was my inspiration.

When I stepped on stage, I played my set to AC/DC’s the song Whole Lotta Rosie. The audience started yelling “Angus”, just like the live recording, and it dawned on me: so this is to be a guitar hero. I advanced to the last round, playing 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 adjudicator one year, and kicked off the show on another occasion, but I didn’t compete. 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 choose “The Angus” as my stage name. I’ve reached the finals annually from 2022 onward, and in 2023 I placed second, so I was determined to take the title this year.

Our global network is like a support system. Our motto is ‘Make air, not war’. It sounds silly, but it’s a real philosophy.

The event is intense but joyful. Participants have 60 seconds to deliver maximum effort – explosive energy, perfect mime, stage magnetism – on an imaginary instrument. Adjudicators rate you on a grading system from four to six. In the case of a tie, there’s an “air-off” between the final two contestants: a track is selected and you freestyle.

Training is crucial. I picked an the band Avenged Sevenfold song for my routine. I played it repeatedly for multiple weeks. I practiced flexibility, trying to get my legs loose enough to bound, my fingers fast enough to mimic solos and my back ready for those gestures and hops. When competition day dawned, I could sense the music in my soul.

Once all acts were done, the scores came in, and I had tied with the titleholder from Japan, Yuta “Sudo-chan” Sudo – it was time for an tiebreaker. We went head-to-head to Sweet Child o’ Mine by the iconic band. Once the track began, I felt comforted because it was a tune I recognized, and above all I was so eager to perform one more time. As they declared I’d won, the area exploded.

The moment is hazy. I think I lost consciousness from shock. Then the crowd started singing the classic tune Rockin’ in the Free World and hoisted me on to their arms. One of the greats – also known as his performer title – a former champion and one of my closest friends, was embracing me. I cried. I was Finland’s first air guitar world champion in a quarter-century. The prior titleholder, Markus “Black Raven” Vainionpää, was there, too. He offered me the biggest hug and said it was “finally happening”.

The air guitar community is like a support system. The phrase we live by is “Focus on fun, not fighting”. It sounds silly, but it’s a real philosophy. People come from globally, and everyone is positive and uplifting. Before you go on stage, all participants shows support. Then for a brief period you’re free to be free, silly, the ultimate music icon in the world.

Additionally, I am a drummer and string player in a group with my sibling called the group title, named after the football manager, as we’re influenced by British music genres. I’ve been serving drinks for a few years now, and I create short films and music videos. Winning hasn’t affected my daily activities drastically but I’ve been doing a lot of press, and I wish it results in more artistic projects. My hometown will be a cultural hub next year, so there are exciting things ahead.

At present, I’m just appreciative: for the network, for the chance to perform, and for that little kid who picked up a newspaper and thought, “I'd love to try that.”