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When I was just 10, I read about a story in my hometown newspaper about the World Air Guitar Competition, held annually every year in my native city of Oulu, Finland. My family had volunteered at the inaugural contest starting from 1996 – my mother handed out flyers, dad sorted the music. Ever since, national championships have been held in many nations, with the titleholders gathering in Oulu each August.

Back then, I asked my parents if I could compete. Initially they had doubts; the competition was in a bar, and there would be an older crowd. They thought it might be an overwhelming atmosphere, but I was set on it.

In my youth, I was always miming air guitar, acting out to the most popular rock tunes with my imaginary instrument. Mom and Dad were music fans – dad loved Springsteen and the Irish rock band. the Australian rockers was the first band I stumbled upon myself. Angus Young, the lead guitarist, was my inspiration.

As I took the stage, I performed my act to the band's Whole Lotta Rosie. The spectators started chanting “Angus”, similar to the album track, and it hit me: so this is to be a guitar hero. I made it to the finals, competing to a large audience in the public plaza, and I was addicted. I got the nickname “Little Angus” that day.

Later I paused. I was a adjudicator one year, and opened for the show another time, but I stayed out of the contest. I went back at 18, tested out several stage names, but people kept calling me “Little Angus” so I decided to own it and make “The Angus” as my stage name. I’ve reached the finals every year since 2022, and in 2023 I placed second, so I was resolved to take the title this year.

The air guitar community is like a family. Our motto is ‘Play air guitar, avoid battles’. It may seem funny, but it’s a real philosophy.

The event is high-energy yet fun. Competitors have 60 seconds to deliver maximum effort – dynamic presence, precise mimicry, stage magnetism – on an nonexistent axe. Adjudicators rate you on a grading system from four to six. If scores are equal, there’s an “showdown” between the remaining participants: a track is selected and you improvise.

Preparation is everything. I picked an the band Avenged Sevenfold song for my performance. I had it on repeat for a long time. I stretched constantly, trying to get my legs loose enough to bound, my fingers fast enough to imitate guitar parts and my spine prepared for those bends and jumps. When competition day dawned, I could sense the music in my being.

When the show concluded, the points were announced, and I had drawn with the Japanese champion, the Japanese titleholder – it was time for an tiebreaker. We competed directly to the Guns N’ Roses hit by the rock group. Once the track began, I felt comforted because it was one that I knew, and more than anything I was so eager to play again. When they announced I’d emerged victorious, the square went wild.

My memory is blurry. I think I lost consciousness from the excitement. Then everyone started chanting the classic tune Rockin’ in the Free World and raised me up on to their shoulders. One of the greats – AKA his stage name – a past winner and one of my closest friends, was holding me. I wept. I was the first Finnish air guitar international titleholder in a quarter-century. The previous Finnish champion, Markus “Black Raven” Vainionpää, was also present. He gave me the most heartfelt squeeze and said it was “about damn time”.

Our global network is like a support system. Our motto is “Make air, not war”. It sounds silly, but it’s a real philosophy. People come from globally, and each person is positive and uplifting. As you prepare to compete, each contestant shows support. Then for a brief period you’re free to be uninhibited, silly, the biggest rock star in the world.

Besides that, I'm a beat keeper and musician in a group with my brother called the Southgates, inspired by Gareth Southgate, as we’re inspired by UK rock and post-punk. I’ve been bartending for a couple of years, and I produce short films and music videos. The victory hasn’t altered my routine too much but I’ve been doing a lot of press, and I aspire it leads to more innovative opportunities. My hometown will be a European capital of culture next year, so there are promising opportunities.

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