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Back when I was 10, I came across a article in my hometown newspaper about the Global Air Guitar Contest, held annually every year in my hometown of Oulu, Finland. Mom and Dad had helped out at the inaugural contest starting from 1996 – my mum gave out flyers, my dad organized the music. From that point, country-level contests have been staged all across the world, with the winners gathering in Oulu each August.

At the time, I requested permission if I could participate. Initially they had doubts; the event was in a bar, and there would be many grown-ups. They thought it might be an intimidating atmosphere, but I was set on it.

During childhood, I was always miming air guitar, miming along to the most popular rock tunes with my make-believe instrument. Mom and Dad were enthusiasts – dad loved The Boss and U2. the band AC/DC was the original act I stumbled upon myself. Angus Young, the lead guitarist, was my inspiration.

Upon entering the spotlight, I did my routine to AC/DC’s Whole Lotta Rosie. The audience started shouting “Angus”, similar to the album track, and it struck me: so this is to be a rock star. I made it to the finals, competing to a large audience in the public plaza, and I was addicted. I got the nickname “Little Angus” that day.

Later I paused. I was a adjudicator one year, and kicked off the show another time, but I didn’t compete. I returned 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 artist name. I’ve qualified for the last round annually from 2022 onward, and in 2023 I came second, so I was determined to win this year.

Our global network is like a support system. Our motto is ‘Create music, not conflict’. Though it appears humorous, but it’s a real philosophy.

The competition itself is high-energy yet fun. Participants have a short window to deliver maximum effort – dynamic presence, flawless imitation, rock star charisma – on an imaginary instrument. Judges evaluate you on a scale from 4.0 to 6.0. In the case of a tie, there’s an “tiebreaker” between the last two competitors: a song plays and you create on the spot.

Training is crucial. I selected an a metal group song for my act. I played it repeatedly for a long time. I did regular stretches, trying to get my limbs loose enough to jump, my hands nimble enough to imitate guitar parts and my spine set for those moves and leaps. Once the big day came, I could sense the music in my soul.

When the show concluded, the results were tallied, and I had matched with the titleholder from Japan, the Japanese titleholder – it was time for an tiebreaker. We went head-to-head to Sweet Child o’ Mine by Guns N’ Roses. When I heard the song, I felt comforted because it was familiar to me, and primarily I was so thrilled to play again. When they announced I’d triumphed, the area went wild.

It's all a bit fuzzy. I think I blacked out from shock. Then all present started performing the classic tune Rockin’ in the Free World and raised me up on to their arms. A former champion – alias his performer title – a past winner and one of my dear companions, was embracing me. I wept. I was the first Finnish air guitar global winner in 25 years. The prior titleholder, the former champion, was in attendance as well. He gave me the biggest hug and said it was “long overdue”.

The air guitar community is like a close-knit group. The phrase we live by is “Create music, not conflict”. Though it appears comical, but it’s a real philosophy. People come from globally, and all involved is positive and uplifting. Before you go on stage, each contestant shows support. Then for a brief period you’re free to be free, silly, the top performer in the world.

Besides that, I'm a drummer and string player in a group with my sibling called the Southgates, inspired by the football manager, as we’re fans of UK rock and post-punk. I’ve been bartending for a couple of years, and I direct short films and song visuals. The victory hasn’t changed my day-to-day life too much but I’ve been doing a extensive media, and I hope it leads to more creative work. Oulu will be a European capital of culture soon, so there are great prospects.

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, “I want to do that.”