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When I was just 10, I read about a story in my local paper about the Global Air Guitar Contest, held annually every year in my hometown of Oulu, Finland. My family had volunteered at the inaugural contest back in 1996 – mom distributed flyers, my father organized the music. From that point, domestic competitions have been held globally, with the titleholders gathering in Oulu every summer.

Back then, I asked my parents if I could compete. Initially they had doubts; the competition was in a bar, and there would be an older crowd. They felt it might be an overwhelming atmosphere, but I was set on it.

In my youth, I was always miming air guitar, miming along to the iconic rock tunes with my make-believe instrument. Mom and Dad were lovers of music – my father loved The Boss and the Irish rock band. the band AC/DC was the first band I found independently. the guitarist, the lead guitarist, was my idol.

Upon entering the spotlight, I played my set to the band's that classic track. The crowd started chanting “Angus”, reminiscent of the album track, and it struck me: this is what it feels like to be a rock star. I reached the championship, competing to crowds in the town square, and I was addicted. I earned the moniker “Little Angus” that day.

Later I paused. I was a adjudicator one year, and opened for the show once more, but I didn’t compete. I returned at 18, experimented with various stage names, but fans continued using “Little Angus” so I embraced it and adopt “The Angus” as my artist name. I’ve made it to the final each competition since then, and in 2023 I was the runner-up, so I was determined to claim victory this year.

The air guitar community is like a close-knit group. Our guiding principle is ‘Create music, not conflict’. It may seem funny, but it’s a real philosophy.

The competition itself is competitive but uplifting. Competitors have a short window to deliver maximum effort – explosive energy, precise mimicry, rock star charisma – on an invisible guitar. The panel score you on a grading system from 4.0 to 6.0. When it's a draw, there’s an “tiebreaker” between the remaining participants: a song plays and you create on the spot.

Getting ready is key. I picked an the band Avenged Sevenfold song for my routine. I listened to it on a loop for weeks. I stretched constantly, trying to get my legs flexible enough to bound, my hands nimble enough to mimic solos and my back prepared for those moves and leaps. When the big day dawned, I could sense the music in my being.

Once all acts were done, the results were tallied, and I had drawn with the titleholder from Japan, a competitor known as Sudo-chan – it was occasion for an final showdown. We competed directly to the Guns N’ Roses hit by the iconic band. Once the track began, I felt comforted because it was one that I knew, and more than anything I was so thrilled to have another go. Once the results were read I’d triumphed, the area went wild.

It's all a bit fuzzy. I think I lost consciousness from surprise. Then everyone started chanting Neil Young’s Rockin’ in the Free World and raised me up on to their arms. One of the greats – AKA Nordic Thunder – a former champion and one of my closest friends, was holding me. I shed tears. I was the first Finnish air guitar global winner in two and a half decades. The previous Finnish champion, Markus “Black Raven” Vainionpää, was there, too. He gave me the biggest hug and said it was “about damn time”.

Our global network is like a close-knit group. Our guiding saying is “Focus on fun, not fighting”. It may seem humorous, but it’s a genuine belief. Competitors come from many countries, and everyone is supportive and encouraging. Before you go on stage, each contestant shows support. Then for one minute you’re free to be uninhibited, playful, the biggest rock star in the world.

Besides that, I'm a beat keeper and musician in a group with my family member called the Southgates, inspired by Gareth Southgate, as we’re inspired by UK rock and post-punk. I’ve been serving drinks for a couple of years, and I direct short films and music videos. The victory hasn’t altered my routine too much but I’ve been doing a many interviews, and I wish it leads to more creative work. My hometown will be a designated cultural center next year, so there are great prospects.

For now, I’m just grateful: 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.”