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At the age of 10, I discovered a feature in my community gazette about the Air Guitar World Championships, held annually every year in my native city of Oulu, Finland. My family had participated at the very first contest back in 1996 – my mother gave out flyers, dad sorted the music. Ever since, national championships have been staged in many nations, with the titleholders gathering in Oulu each August.

Initially, I inquired with my family if I could participate. They weren't sure at first; the event was in a bar, and there would be many grown-ups. They believed it might be an overwhelming atmosphere, but I was resolved.

In my youth, I was always “playing” air guitar, acting out to the biggest rock tunes with my invisible instrument. My parents were lovers of music – my father loved The Boss and U2. AC/DC was the original act I found independently. the lead guitarist, the frontman guitarist, was my inspiration.

As I took the stage, I played my set to AC/DC’s the song Whole Lotta Rosie. The crowd started yelling “Angus”, reminiscent of the album track, and it hit me: this is what it feels like to be a rock star. I made it to the finals, playing to crowds in Oulu’s market 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 everyone still referred to me as “Little Angus” so I accepted it fully and make “The Angus” as my stage name. I’ve made it to the final each competition since then, and in 2023 I came second, so I was resolved to win this year.

The air guitar community is like a family. Our guiding principle is ‘Make air, not war’. It sounds silly, but it’s a real philosophy.

The competition itself is intense but joyful. Contestants have 60 seconds to deliver maximum effort – explosive energy, perfect mime, rock star charisma – on an imaginary instrument. The panel rate you on a scale from four to six. If scores are equal, there’s an “air-off” between the last two competitors: a song plays and you improvise.

Training is crucial. I chose an Avenged Sevenfold song for my routine. I played it repeatedly for multiple weeks. I stretched constantly, trying to get my legs loose enough to leap, my fingers quick enough to imitate guitar parts and my back set for those gestures and hops. Once the big day arrived, I could feel the song in my bones.

After everyone had performed, the points were announced, and I had tied with the titleholder from Japan, the Japanese titleholder – it was occasion for an final showdown. We went head-to-head 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 have another go. Once the results were read I’d emerged victorious, the venue went wild.

My memory is blurry. I think I lost consciousness from surprise. Then all present started performing the song the anthem Rockin' in the Free World and hoisted me on to their shoulders. A former champion – AKA his stage name – a previous titleholder and one of my dear companions, was embracing me. I shed tears. I was the inaugural from Finland air guitar world champion in a quarter-century. The previous Finnish champion, the former champion, was there, too. He offered me the most heartfelt squeeze and said it was “finally happening”.

The air guitar community is like a family. The phrase we live by is “Make air, not war”. It may seem humorous, but it’s a real philosophy. People come from globally, and each person is supportive and encouraging. Before you go on stage, all participants shows support. Then for one minute you’re free to be free, playful, the ultimate music icon in the world.

Besides that, I'm a percussionist and musician in a band with my sibling called the group title, inspired by the football manager, as we’re inspired by UK rock and post-punk. I’ve been bartending for a couple of years, and I direct short films and song visuals. Winning hasn’t altered my routine drastically but I’ve been doing a lot of press, and I hope it leads to more artistic projects. Oulu will be a designated cultural center soon, so there are great prospects.

At present, I’m just thankful: for the group, for the ability to compete, and for that budding enthusiast who found a story and thought, “That's for me.”