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Back when I was 10, I discovered a story in my community gazette about the Global Air Guitar Contest, that happens every year in my birthplace of Oulu, Finland. My family had helped out at the very first contest since 1996 – my mum distributed flyers, dad organized the music. Since then, country-level contests have been staged all across the world, with the winners assembling in Oulu every summer.

At the time, I inquired with my family if I could participate. Initially they had doubts; the event was in a bar, and there would be an older crowd. They felt it might be an daunting atmosphere, but I was determined.

As a kid, I was always miming air guitar, miming along to the iconic rock tunes with my invisible instrument. Mom and Dad were enthusiasts – dad loved Bruce Springsteen and the Irish rock band. AC/DC was the first band I discovered on my own. the lead guitarist, the guitar hero, was my idol.

When I stepped on stage, I performed my act to the band's the song Whole Lotta Rosie. The audience started yelling “Angus”, similar to the album track, and it hit me: this is what it feels like to be a guitar hero. I made it to the finals, performing to a large audience in the public plaza, and I was captivated. I got the nickname “Little Angus” that day.

Then I took a break. I was a judge one year, and started the show another time, but I stayed out of the contest. I came back at 18, tried a few different stage names, but fans continued using “Little Angus” so I accepted it fully and choose “The Angus” as my artist name. I’ve reached the finals annually from 2022 onward, and in 2023 I placed second, so I was set to take the title this year.

The air guitar community is like a support system. The saying we live by is ‘Create music, not conflict’. It may seem funny, but it’s a genuine belief.

The contest is intense but joyful. Participants have one minute to put their all – explosive energy, precise mimicry, stage magnetism – on an nonexistent axe. Judges evaluate you on a grading system from four to six. If scores are equal, there’s an “air-off” between the final two contestants: a tune begins and you freestyle.

Preparation is everything. I chose an the band Avenged Sevenfold song for my performance. I listened to it on a loop for multiple weeks. I did regular stretches, trying to get my limbs loose enough to bound, my hands nimble enough to copy riffs and my upper body prepared for those moves and leaps. Once the big day came, I could internalize the track in my bones.

Once all acts were done, the scores came in, and I had drawn with the titleholder from Japan, Yuta “Sudo-chan” Sudo – it was occasion for an tiebreaker. We faced off to the Guns N’ Roses hit by Guns N’ Roses. As the music started, I felt at ease because it was one that I knew, and above all I was so eager to play again. When they announced I’d emerged victorious, the square erupted.

My memory is blurry. I think I zoned out from surprise. Then all present started performing the song Rockin’ in the Free World and raised me up on to their backs. One of the greats – alias his performer title – a past winner and one of my closest friends, was embracing me. I wept. I was the first Finnish air guitar world champion in two and a half decades. The earlier winner from Finland, the former champion, was also present. He bestowed upon me the warmest embrace and said it was “about damn time”.

This worldwide group is like a support system. The phrase we live by is “Focus on fun, not fighting”. It sounds silly, but it’s a true way of life. Participants come from many countries, and each person is positive and uplifting. Before you go on stage, every competitor offers an embrace. Then for a brief period you’re free to be uninhibited, playful, the biggest rock star in the world.

Besides that, I'm a percussionist and musician in a band with my brother called the group title, inspired by the football manager, as we’re fans of UK rock and post-punk. I’ve been working in bars for a short time, and I create mini movies and song visuals. The victory hasn’t changed my day-to-day life significantly but I’ve been doing a many interviews, and I hope it brings more innovative opportunities. The city will be a designated cultural center the coming year, so there are exciting things ahead.

For now, 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 want to do that.”