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At the age of 10, I came across a feature in my local paper about the World Air Guitar Competition, held annually every year in my hometown of Oulu, Finland. My parents had participated at the pioneering contest starting from 1996 – my mum distributed flyers, dad organized the music. Since then, country-level contests have been staged globally, with the titleholders gathering in Oulu every summer.

Back then, 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 daunting atmosphere, but I was determined.

As a kid, I was always miming air guitar, miming along to the most popular rock tunes with my imaginary instrument. My parents were enthusiasts – my dad loved Springsteen and U2. the band AC/DC was the original act I stumbled upon myself. the guitarist, the lead guitarist, was my inspiration.

As I took the stage, I performed my act to the band's that classic track. The crowd started yelling “Angus”, reminiscent of the concert version, and it hit me: this is what it feels like to be a rock star. I advanced to the last round, competing to crowds in the town square, and I was addicted. I was dubbed “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 went back at 18, experimented with various stage names, but people kept calling me “Little Angus” so I accepted it fully and adopt “The Angus” as my performance alias. I’ve made it to the final every year since 2022, and in 2023 I was the runner-up, so I was resolved to take the title this year.

The air guitar community is like a close-knit group. Our guiding principle is ‘Play air guitar, avoid battles’. It sounds silly, but it’s a genuine belief.

The competition itself is competitive but uplifting. Participants have one minute to deliver maximum effort – explosive energy, flawless imitation, rock star charisma – on an nonexistent axe. The panel rate you on a grading system from a specific numeric range. If scores are equal, there’s an “tiebreaker” between the last two competitors: a tune begins and you improvise.

Training is crucial. I picked an the band Avenged Sevenfold song for my act. I played it repeatedly for multiple weeks. I did regular stretches, trying to get my lower body prepared enough to bound, my digits fast enough to imitate guitar parts and my upper body set for those moves and leaps. By the time competition day dawned, I could feel the song in my soul.

After everyone had performed, the results were tallied, and I had matched with the Japanese champion, a competitor known as Sudo-chan – it was moment for an final showdown. We went head-to-head to that classic rock anthem by Guns N’ Roses. When I heard the song, I felt comforted because it was one that I knew, and more than anything I was so eager to perform one more time. Once the results were read I’d emerged victorious, the area went wild.

It's all a bit fuzzy. I think I lost consciousness from surprise. Then the crowd started chanting Neil Young’s the anthem Rockin' in the Free World and raised me up on to their arms. A former champion – alias Nordic Thunder – a previous titleholder and one of my closest friends, was hugging me. I wept. I was Finland’s first air guitar global winner in two and a half decades. The prior titleholder, Markus “Black Raven” Vainionpää, was also present. He bestowed upon me the warmest embrace and said it was “long overdue”.

The air guitar community is like a close-knit group. The phrase we live by is “Create music, not conflict”. It sounds silly, but it’s a genuine belief. Competitors come from globally, and each person is supportive and encouraging. Prior to performing, all participants comes and hugs you. Then for 60 seconds you’re able to be uninhibited, silly, the biggest rock star in the world.

I’m also a percussionist and musician in a musical act with my brother called the Southgates, named after the football manager, as we’re inspired by Britpop and new wave. I’ve been working in bars for a few years now, and I produce short films and music videos. The title hasn’t changed my day-to-day life drastically but I’ve been doing a extensive media, and I hope it leads to more innovative opportunities. The city will be a cultural hub the coming year, so there are great prospects.

For now, I’m just appreciative: for the group, for the ability to compete, and for that young child who read an article and thought, “I want to do that.”