🔗 Share this article

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 native city of Oulu, Finland. My family had participated at the inaugural contest starting from 1996 – mom handed out flyers, my dad sorted the music. Since then, national championships have been organized all across the world, with the titleholders assembling in Oulu every summer.

Initially, I asked my parents if I could enter. They weren't sure at first; the competition was in a bar, and there would be a lot of adults. They believed it might be an intimidating atmosphere, but I was resolved.

As a kid, I was always performing air guitar, acting out to the most popular rock tunes with my imaginary instrument. My parents were lovers of music – my dad loved The Boss and the Irish rock band. the band AC/DC was the initial group I discovered on my own. the lead guitarist, the frontman guitarist, was my inspiration.

When I stepped on stage, I played my set to the band's the song Whole Lotta Rosie. The crowd started yelling “Angus”, similar to the live recording, and it struck me: this is what it feels like to be a rock star. I reached the championship, competing to a large audience in Oulu’s market square, and I was captivated. I was dubbed “Little Angus” that day.

Later I paused. I was a adjudicator one year, and started the show once more, but I didn’t compete. I went back at 18, tested out several stage names, but everyone still referred to me as “Little Angus” so I decided to own it and make “The Angus” as my performance alias. I’ve qualified for the last round every year since 2022, and in 2023 I placed second, so I was set to win this year.

The air guitar community is like a support system. The saying we live by is ‘Make air, not war’. It sounds silly, but it’s a true ethos.

The contest is intense but joyful. Competitors have 60 seconds to give everything – high-powered performance, perfect mime, performance charm – on an imaginary instrument. Judges evaluate you on a point range from 4.0 to 6.0. In the case of a tie, there’s an “showdown” between the last two competitors: a tune begins and you create on the spot.

Preparation is everything. I picked an Avenged Sevenfold song for my routine. I played it repeatedly for weeks. I practiced flexibility, trying to get my limbs loose enough to leap, my digits fast enough to copy riffs and my back prepared for those bends and jumps. When the big day came, I could internalize the track in my being.

After everyone had performed, the results were tallied, and I had drawn with the titleholder from Japan, Yuta “Sudo-chan” Sudo – it was moment for an final showdown. We faced off to that classic rock anthem by Guns N’ Roses. When I heard the song, I felt at ease because it was familiar to me, and above all I was so thrilled to play again. When they announced I’d won, the square exploded.

It's all a bit fuzzy. I think I blacked out from the excitement. Then the crowd started performing Neil Young’s that well-known track and hoisted me on to their shoulders. A former champion – AKA his stage name – a previous titleholder and one of my closest friends, was embracing me. I wept. I was the inaugural from Finland air guitar world champion in two and a half decades. The previous Finnish champion, the former champion, was in attendance as well. He offered me the biggest hug and said it was “long overdue”.

Our global network is like a support system. The phrase we live by is “Make air, not war”. Though it appears comical, but it’s a real philosophy. People come from many countries, and each person is helpful and motivating. Before you go on stage, every competitor comes and hugs you. Then for 60 seconds you’re free to be free, playful, the top performer in the world.

Besides that, I'm a drummer and guitarist in a band with my brother called the Southgates, inspired by the football manager, as we’re inspired by UK rock and post-punk. I’ve been working in bars for a short time, and I produce 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 wish it brings more artistic projects. The city will be a cultural hub soon, so there are great prospects.

Currently, I’m just thankful: for the community, for the ability to compete, and for that little kid who picked up a newspaper and thought, “I'd love to try that.”