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At the age of 10, I read about a story in my community gazette about the Global Air Guitar Contest, which take place every year in my birthplace of Oulu, Finland. My family had helped out at the very first contest starting from 1996 – my mum gave out flyers, my dad managed the music. Since then, country-level contests have been held all across the world, with the titleholders gathering in Oulu annually.

Back then, I asked my parents if I could compete. They weren't sure at first; the competition was in a bar, and there would be an older crowd. They believed it might be an daunting atmosphere, but I was set on it.

During childhood, I was always “playing” air guitar, acting out to the iconic rock tunes with my invisible instrument. My family were lovers of music – dad loved Springsteen and U2. the band AC/DC was the first band I found independently. Angus Young, the lead guitarist, was my idol.

Upon entering the spotlight, I played my set to AC/DC’s that classic track. The crowd started yelling “Angus”, similar to the live recording, and it hit me: so this is to be a music icon. I reached the championship, playing to crowds in the town square, and I was hooked. I was dubbed “Little Angus” that day.

Later I paused. I was a judge one year, and started the show another time, but I didn't participate. I went back at 18, tested out several stage names, but people kept calling me “Little Angus” so I accepted it fully and adopt “The Angus” as my performance alias. I’ve qualified for the last round each competition since then, and in 2023 I was the runner-up, so I was set to take the title this year.

The worldwide group is like a support system. Our guiding principle is ‘Create music, not conflict’. It may seem funny, but it’s a genuine belief.

The competition itself is intense but joyful. Competitors have 60 seconds to put their all – dynamic presence, flawless imitation, performance charm – on an invisible guitar. Judges evaluate you on a point range from 4.0 to 6.0. If scores are equal, there’s an “air-off” 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 performance. I listened to it on a loop for a long time. I stretched constantly, trying to get my lower body flexible enough to bound, my hands fast enough to imitate guitar parts and my upper body set for those bends and jumps. By the time the event dawned, I could feel the song in my soul.

After everyone had performed, the points were announced, and I had drawn with the Japanese champion, a competitor known as Sudo-chan – it was moment for an air-off. We went head-to-head to the Guns N’ Roses hit by Guns N’ Roses. Once the track began, I felt relieved because it was one that I knew, and primarily I was so excited to play again. As they declared I’d emerged victorious, the venue exploded.

It's all a bit fuzzy. I think I blacked out from the excitement. Then the crowd started singing the song Rockin’ in the Free World and raised me up on to their backs. Justin Howard – alias Nordic Thunder – a past winner and one of my dear companions, was hugging me. I cried. I was the inaugural from Finland air guitar world champion in two and a half decades. The earlier winner from Finland, Markus “Black Raven” Vainionpää, was also present. He offered me the most heartfelt squeeze and said it was “finally happening”.

The air guitar community is like a support system. Our motto is “Create music, not conflict”. Though it appears comical, but it’s a real philosophy. People come from globally, and all involved is positive and uplifting. As you prepare to compete, every competitor shows support. Then for a brief period you’re allowed to be uninhibited, humorous, the top performer in the world.

Additionally, I am a beat keeper and musician in a musical act with my sibling called the Southgates, referencing the football manager, as we’re fans of UK rock and post-punk. I’ve been serving drinks for a couple of years, and I produce short films and performance clips. The title hasn’t affected my daily activities significantly but I’ve been doing a lot of press, and I hope it results in more innovative opportunities. The city will be a European capital of culture the coming year, so there are promising opportunities.

At present, I’m just appreciative: for the community, for the chance to perform, and for that young child who found a story and thought, “I want to do that.”