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Back when I was 10, I came across a article in my community gazette about the Air Guitar World Championships, that happens every year in my birthplace of Oulu, Finland. Mom and Dad had helped out at the pioneering contest back in 1996 – my mum gave out flyers, my dad sorted the music. Since then, national championships have been held globally, with the champions gathering in Oulu each August.

Back then, I requested permission if I could participate. Initially they had doubts; the show was in a bar, and there would be many grown-ups. They thought it might be an intimidating atmosphere, but I was resolved.

As a kid, I was always miming air guitar, pretending to play to the iconic rock tunes with my invisible instrument. My parents were music fans – my dad loved Springsteen and U2. AC/DC was the original act I stumbled upon myself. Angus Young, 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 chanting “Angus”, just like 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 a large audience in Oulu’s market square, and I was captivated. I earned the moniker “Little Angus” that day.

Then I took a break. I was a judge one year, and kicked off the show another time, but I stayed out of the contest. I returned at 18, tested out several stage names, but fans continued using “Little Angus” so I embraced it and choose “The Angus” as my artist name. I’ve made it to the final annually from 2022 onward, and in 2023 I placed second, so I was determined to take the title this year.

The worldwide group is like a close-knit group. Our guiding principle is ‘Create music, not conflict’. Though it appears humorous, but it’s a real philosophy.

The competition itself is competitive but uplifting. Competitors have 60 seconds to deliver maximum effort – high-powered performance, flawless imitation, performance charm – on an imaginary instrument. Adjudicators rate you on a point range from a specific numeric range. In the case of a tie, there’s an “air-off” between the last two competitors: a tune begins and you create on the spot.

Getting ready is key. I picked an Avenged Sevenfold song for my routine. I listened to it on a loop for weeks. I stretched constantly, trying to get my legs prepared enough to leap, my fingers quick enough to imitate guitar parts and my back prepared for those gestures and hops. When competition day dawned, I could internalize the track in my being.

When the show concluded, the points were announced, and I had matched with the winner from Japan, the Japanese titleholder – it was occasion for an tiebreaker. We faced off to the Guns N’ Roses hit by the rock group. As the music started, I felt relieved because it was a tune I recognized, and above all I was so eager to perform one more time. Once the results were read I’d won, the square exploded.

The moment is hazy. I think I blacked out from surprise. Then everyone started singing Neil Young’s Rockin’ in the Free World and raised me up on to their arms. One of the greats – alias his stage name – a past winner and one of my closest friends, was embracing me. I shed tears. I was the inaugural from Finland air guitar global winner in a quarter-century. The previous Finnish champion, the earlier victor, was also present. He bestowed upon me the most heartfelt squeeze and said it was “long overdue”.

The air guitar community is like a support system. Our guiding saying is “Create music, not conflict”. It may seem humorous, but it’s a true way of life. People come from many countries, and all involved is helpful and motivating. Prior to performing, all participants offers an embrace. Then for 60 seconds you’re able to be uninhibited, humorous, the top performer in the world.

Besides that, I'm a drummer and musician in a musical act with my family member called the group title, inspired by the sports figure, as we’re fans of UK rock and post-punk. I’ve been working in bars for a few years now, and I create independent videos and music videos. Winning hasn’t altered my routine drastically but I’ve been doing a lot of press, and I aspire it results in more innovative opportunities. Oulu will be a designated cultural center soon, so there are exciting things ahead.

At present, I’m just grateful: for the group, for the chance to perform, and for that budding enthusiast who picked up a newspaper and thought, “I want to do that.”