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When I was just 10, I came across a story in my hometown newspaper about the Global Air Guitar Contest, which take place every year in my native city of Oulu, Finland. My family had participated at the pioneering contest since 1996 – my mother distributed flyers, my father sorted the music. Ever since, country-level contests have been organized in many nations, with the titleholders assembling in Oulu annually.

At the time, I requested permission if I could compete. 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.

In my youth, I was always performing air guitar, miming along to the most popular rock tunes with my invisible instrument. My family were music fans – dad loved Springsteen and U2. AC/DC was the initial group I discovered on my own. the lead guitarist, the frontman guitarist, was my idol.

As I took the stage, I performed my act to AC/DC’s the song Whole Lotta Rosie. The spectators started chanting “Angus”, reminiscent of the album track, and it struck me: this must be to be a rock star. I made it to the finals, performing to hundreds of people in the public plaza, and I was hooked. I got the nickname “Little Angus” that day.

Then I took a break. I was a judge one year, and opened for the show on another occasion, but I stayed out of the contest. I returned at 18, experimented with various stage names, but everyone still referred to me as “Little Angus” so I embraced it and make “The Angus” as my artist name. I’ve qualified for the last round every year since 2022, and in 2023 I was the runner-up, so I was resolved to claim victory this year.

The worldwide group is like a close-knit group. Our motto is ‘Create music, not conflict’. It may seem funny, but it’s a real philosophy.

The contest is intense but joyful. Contestants have a short window to deliver maximum effort – high-powered performance, perfect mime, rock star charisma – on an invisible guitar. Adjudicators rate you on a scale from four to six. When it's a draw, there’s an “air-off” between the final two contestants: a track is selected and you create on the spot.

Preparation is everything. I chose an a metal group song for my performance. I listened to it on a loop for multiple weeks. I did regular stretches, trying to get my legs prepared enough to leap, my fingers fast enough to copy riffs and my spine ready for those gestures and hops. By the time competition day came, I could feel the song in my bones.

When the show concluded, the scores came in, and I had tied with the Japanese champion, the Japanese titleholder – it was moment for an tiebreaker. We went head-to-head to Sweet Child o’ Mine by the iconic band. When I heard the song, I felt relieved because it was familiar to me, and primarily I was so thrilled to have another go. When they announced I’d won, the area went wild.

My memory is blurry. I think I lost consciousness from the excitement. Then the crowd started chanting Neil Young’s that well-known track and raised me up on to their shoulders. Justin Howard – alias Nordic Thunder – a previous titleholder and one of my closest friends, was holding me. I cried. I was the first Finnish air guitar international titleholder in 25 years. The earlier winner from Finland, Markus “Black Raven” Vainionpää, was in attendance as well. He offered me the biggest hug and said it was “about damn time”.

This worldwide group is like a family. The phrase we live by is “Create music, not conflict”. Though it appears comical, but it’s a true way of life. Competitors come from globally, and all involved is supportive and encouraging. As you prepare to compete, all participants offers an embrace. Then for 60 seconds you’re free to be uninhibited, playful, the top performer in the world.

Besides that, I'm a beat keeper and musician in a group with my sibling called the band name, named after Gareth Southgate, as we’re influenced by British music genres. I’ve been working in bars for a couple of years, and I produce independent videos and performance clips. The title hasn’t altered my routine drastically but I’ve been doing a extensive media, and I wish it results in more artistic projects. The city will be a cultural hub soon, so there are exciting things ahead.

Currently, I’m just grateful: for the network, for the opportunity to play, and for that young child who picked up a newspaper and thought, “I'd love to try that.”