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Back when I was 10, I read about a feature in my local paper about the Global Air Guitar Contest, that happens every year in my birthplace of Oulu, Finland. Mom and Dad had volunteered at the very first contest back in 1996 – my mother gave out flyers, my dad managed the music. Since then, domestic competitions have been held globally, with the titleholders gathering in Oulu each August.

Back then, I requested permission if I could enter. Initially they had doubts; the event was in a bar, and there would be a lot of adults. They felt it might be an intimidating atmosphere, but I was resolved.

During childhood, I was always miming air guitar, pretending to play to the biggest rock tunes with my invisible instrument. My family were music fans – dad loved Bruce Springsteen and U2. the band AC/DC was the first band I found independently. the guitarist, the frontman guitarist, was my idol.

Upon entering the spotlight, I performed my act to AC/DC’s Whole Lotta Rosie. The crowd started yelling “Angus”, similar to the concert version, and it struck me: this must be to be a rock star. I advanced to the last round, competing to hundreds of people in the public plaza, and I was captivated. I earned the moniker “Little Angus” that day.

Then I took a break. I was a referee one year, and opened for the show once more, but I stayed out of the contest. I came back at 18, tested out several stage names, but people kept calling me “Little Angus” so I accepted it fully and make “The Angus” as my artist name. I’ve reached the finals each competition since then, and in 2023 I was the runner-up, so I was determined to win this year.

Our global network is like a support system. Our guiding principle is ‘Create music, not conflict’. It sounds silly, but it’s a genuine belief.

The competition itself is intense but joyful. Contestants have one minute to put their all – explosive energy, perfect mime, rock star charisma – on an invisible guitar. Judges evaluate you on a grading system from 4.0 to 6.0. If scores are equal, there’s an “air-off” between the remaining participants: a tune begins and you improvise.

Getting ready is key. I selected an a metal group song for my performance. I played it repeatedly for multiple weeks. I did regular stretches, trying to get my limbs loose enough to jump, my fingers nimble enough to mimic solos and my spine ready for those moves and leaps. Once competition day dawned, I could internalize the track in my bones.

After everyone had performed, the points were announced, and I had matched with the winner from Japan, a competitor known as Sudo-chan – it was time for an tiebreaker. We went head-to-head to the Guns N’ Roses hit by Guns N’ Roses. When I heard the song, I felt comforted because it was a tune I recognized, and above all I was so excited to perform one more time. Once the results were read I’d emerged victorious, the area exploded.

My memory is blurry. I think I blacked out from the excitement. Then the crowd started singing the song that well-known track and raised me up on to their backs. A former champion – AKA his stage name – a former champion and one of my closest friends, was holding me. I shed tears. I was Finland’s first air guitar global winner in 25 years. The previous Finnish champion, the former champion, was also present. He bestowed upon me the biggest hug and said it was “about damn time”.

Our global network is like a family. Our motto is “Focus on fun, not fighting”. It sounds silly, but it’s a real philosophy. People come from globally, and each person is helpful and motivating. As you prepare to compete, every competitor offers an embrace. Then for 60 seconds you’re free to be uninhibited, playful, the biggest rock star in the world.

Besides that, I'm a percussionist and musician in a musical act with my sibling called the band name, referencing the sports figure, as we’re influenced by Britpop and new wave. I’ve been serving drinks for a couple of years, and I direct short films and music videos. The title hasn’t altered my routine drastically but I’ve been doing a many interviews, and I aspire it results in more artistic projects. My hometown will be a European capital of culture next year, so there are great prospects.

At present, I’m just grateful: for the group, for the chance to perform, and for that budding enthusiast who found a story and thought, “That's for me.”