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At the age of 10, I read about a feature in my local paper about the Air Guitar World Championships, which take place every year in my hometown of Oulu, Finland. My family had volunteered at the inaugural contest since 1996 – my mum handed out flyers, my father organized the music. Ever since, country-level contests have been held globally, with the champions assembling in Oulu annually.

At the time, I requested permission if I could compete. At first they were hesitant; the event was in a bar, and there would be an older crowd. They thought it might be an daunting atmosphere, but I was set on it.

As a kid, I was always “playing” air guitar, miming along to the biggest rock tunes with my imaginary instrument. My parents were enthusiasts – dad loved The Boss and the Irish rock band. AC/DC was the initial group I discovered on my own. the lead guitarist, the frontman guitarist, was my idol.

As I took the stage, I did my routine to AC/DC’s that classic track. The crowd started yelling “Angus”, similar to the album track, and it dawned on me: so this is to be a rock star. I made it to the finals, competing to crowds in the public plaza, and I was captivated. I got the nickname “Little Angus” that day.

After that I stopped. I was a judge one year, and started 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 decided to own it and make “The Angus” as my artist name. I’ve reached the finals every year since 2022, and in 2023 I placed second, so I was determined to claim victory this year.

The air guitar community is like a close-knit group. Our guiding principle is ‘Play air guitar, avoid battles’. It may seem funny, but it’s a true ethos.

The contest is competitive but uplifting. Contestants have 60 seconds to put their all – dynamic presence, flawless imitation, stage magnetism – on an nonexistent axe. Adjudicators rate you on a grading system from 4.0 to 6.0. When it's a draw, there’s an “air-off” between the final two contestants: a tune begins and you freestyle.

Preparation is everything. I chose an the band Avenged Sevenfold song for my routine. I listened to it on a loop for a long time. I did regular stretches, trying to get my limbs flexible enough to bound, my digits quick enough to copy riffs and my upper body prepared for those bends and jumps. Once the big day arrived, I could internalize the track in my being.

When the show concluded, the results were tallied, and I had matched with the titleholder from Japan, a competitor known as Sudo-chan – it was time for an tiebreaker. We faced off 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. When they announced I’d emerged victorious, the area erupted.

It's all a bit fuzzy. I think I zoned out from surprise. Then all present started chanting the song that well-known track and lifted me on to their arms. Justin Howard – alias his performer title – a former champion and one of my dear companions, was hugging me. I wept. I was the inaugural from Finland air guitar world champion in a quarter-century. The earlier winner from Finland, Markus “Black Raven” Vainionpää, was there, too. He gave me the biggest hug and said it was “about damn time”.

Our global network is like a close-knit group. Our guiding saying is “Make air, not war”. Though it appears comical, but it’s a genuine belief. People come from globally, and all involved is helpful and motivating. Prior to performing, every competitor comes and hugs you. Then for a brief period you’re free to be yourself, silly, the biggest rock star in the world.

I’m also a drummer and musician in a band with my family member called the band name, named after the sports figure, as we’re influenced by Britpop and new wave. I’ve been serving drinks for a short time, and I produce short films and music videos. The title hasn’t affected my daily activities too much but I’ve been doing a lot of press, and I aspire it leads to more artistic projects. Oulu will be a European capital of culture the coming year, so there are exciting things ahead.

Currently, I’m just grateful: for the community, for the opportunity to play, and for that budding enthusiast who read an article and thought, “That's for me.”