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When I was just 10, I read about a feature in my hometown newspaper about the Air Guitar World Championships, that happens every year in my birthplace of Oulu, Finland. My parents had helped out at the pioneering contest starting from 1996 – mom gave out flyers, my dad sorted the music. Ever since, country-level contests have been organized in many nations, with the winners converging in Oulu each August.

Initially, I requested permission if I could compete. At first they were hesitant; the competition was in a bar, and there would be a lot of adults. They believed it might be an intimidating atmosphere, but I was resolved.

In my youth, I was always “playing” air guitar, acting out to the most popular rock tunes with my invisible instrument. My family were music fans – my dad loved The Boss and U2. AC/DC was the original act I discovered on my own. the guitarist, the frontman guitarist, was my hero.

As I took the stage, I played my set to AC/DC’s that classic track. The audience started shouting “Angus”, similar to the concert version, and it struck me: this must be to be a music icon. I advanced to the last round, playing to hundreds of people in the town square, and I was hooked. I earned the moniker “Little Angus” that day.

Later I paused. I was a referee one year, and started the show another time, but I stayed out of the contest. I came back at 18, experimented with various stage names, but people kept calling me “Little Angus” so I accepted it fully and choose “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 determined to win this year.

The air guitar community is like a support system. Our motto is ‘Play air guitar, avoid battles’. It may seem funny, but it’s a genuine belief.

The competition itself is high-energy yet fun. Contestants have a short window to deliver maximum effort – dynamic presence, flawless imitation, rock star charisma – on an nonexistent axe. Adjudicators score you on a point range from four to six. In the case of a tie, there’s an “tiebreaker” between the last two competitors: a track is selected and you improvise.

Training is crucial. I selected an Avenged Sevenfold song for my act. I played it repeatedly for a long time. I stretched constantly, trying to get my lower body loose enough to jump, my digits quick enough to imitate guitar parts and my spine set for those moves and leaps. Once the event came, I could feel the song in my being.

Once all acts were done, the points were announced, and I had tied with the titleholder from Japan, a competitor known as Sudo-chan – it was occasion for an tiebreaker. We competed directly to that classic rock anthem by Guns N’ Roses. When I heard the song, I felt at ease because it was familiar to me, and above all I was so eager to have another go. When they announced I’d won, the area erupted.

The moment is hazy. I think I zoned out from shock. Then all present started chanting Neil Young’s the anthem Rockin' in the Free World and hoisted me on to their shoulders. Justin Howard – AKA Nordic Thunder – a previous titleholder and one of my dear companions, was hugging me. I shed tears. I was the inaugural from Finland air guitar world champion in two and a half decades. The previous Finnish champion, the former champion, was also present. He gave me the warmest embrace and said it was “about damn time”.

The air guitar community is like a close-knit group. Our guiding saying is “Make air, not war”. It may seem humorous, but it’s a true way of life. People come from all over the world, and all involved is helpful and motivating. As you prepare to compete, each contestant offers an embrace. Then for 60 seconds you’re free to be uninhibited, silly, the ultimate music icon in the world.

Besides that, I'm a drummer and string player in a band with my sibling called the group title, inspired by the sports figure, as we’re influenced by British music genres. I’ve been serving drinks for a couple of years, and I direct mini movies and performance clips. Winning hasn’t changed my day-to-day life drastically but I’ve been doing a extensive media, and I wish it results in more creative work. Oulu will be a European capital of culture the coming year, so there are promising opportunities.

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