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At the age of 10, I discovered a story in my community gazette about the World Air Guitar Competition, which take place every year in my birthplace of Oulu, Finland. Mom and Dad had helped out at the inaugural contest back in 1996 – mom distributed flyers, my father organized the music. Since then, country-level contests have been staged in many nations, with the champions assembling in Oulu annually.

Back then, I asked my parents if I could enter. At first they were hesitant; the show was in a bar, and there would be a lot of adults. They felt it might be an intimidating atmosphere, but I was set on it.

As a kid, I was always miming air guitar, miming along to the biggest rock tunes with my invisible instrument. My family were lovers of music – my dad loved The Boss and U2. the band AC/DC was the initial group I stumbled upon myself. Angus Young, the guitar hero, was my idol.

When I stepped on stage, I played my set to AC/DC’s Whole Lotta Rosie. The audience started chanting “Angus”, just like the album track, and it hit me: so this is to be a guitar hero. I made it to the finals, competing to crowds in the town square, and I was hooked. I earned the moniker “Little Angus” that day.

Later I paused. I was a adjudicator one year, and opened for the show on another occasion, but I didn't participate. I returned at 18, tested out several stage names, but fans continued using “Little Angus” so I decided to own it and make “The Angus” as my artist name. I’ve qualified for the last round every year since 2022, and in 2023 I came second, so I was resolved to claim victory this year.

The air guitar community is like a family. Our motto is ‘Make air, not war’. Though it appears humorous, but it’s a real philosophy.

The contest is competitive but uplifting. Participants have 60 seconds to put their all – explosive energy, precise mimicry, stage magnetism – on an nonexistent axe. The panel rate you on a scale from 4.0 to 6.0. If scores are equal, there’s an “showdown” between the final two contestants: a song plays and you create on the spot.

Training is crucial. I selected an Avenged Sevenfold song for my routine. I listened to it on a loop for multiple weeks. I practiced flexibility, trying to get my legs flexible enough to jump, my hands quick enough to copy riffs and my upper body prepared for those bends and jumps. When the big day came, I could internalize the track in my being.

When the show concluded, the points were announced, and I had tied with the titleholder from Japan, the Japanese titleholder – it was occasion for an final showdown. We competed directly to the Guns N’ Roses hit by the iconic band. As the music started, I felt at ease because it was familiar to me, and above all I was so excited to have another go. As they declared I’d emerged victorious, the area exploded.

It's all a bit fuzzy. I think I zoned out from shock. Then the crowd started performing Neil Young’s Rockin’ in the Free World and raised me up on to their shoulders. 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 earlier winner from Finland, the earlier victor, was also present. He offered me the warmest embrace and said it was “about damn time”.

This worldwide group is like a family. Our motto is “Create music, not conflict”. It may seem humorous, but it’s a real philosophy. People come from all over the world, and all involved is positive and uplifting. As you prepare to compete, each contestant offers an embrace. Then for 60 seconds you’re able to be uninhibited, humorous, the biggest rock star in the world.

Besides that, I'm a percussionist and string player in a band with my brother called the band name, named after Gareth Southgate, as we’re fans of UK rock and post-punk. I’ve been serving drinks for a couple of years, and I create mini movies and music videos. Winning hasn’t affected my daily activities significantly but I’ve been doing a lot of press, and I hope it leads to more creative work. My hometown will be a designated cultural center the coming year, so there are exciting things ahead.

At present, I’m just thankful: for the network, for the opportunity to play, and for that budding enthusiast who picked up a newspaper and thought, “I'd love to try that.”