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At the age of 10, I read about a feature in my hometown newspaper about the Air Guitar World Championships, held annually every year in my native city of Oulu, Finland. Mom and Dad had participated at the very first contest back in 1996 – my mother distributed flyers, my dad organized the music. From that point, country-level contests have been held in many nations, with the titleholders gathering in Oulu annually.

At the time, I asked my parents if I could compete. Initially they had doubts; the show was in a bar, and there would be a lot of adults. They thought it might be an daunting atmosphere, but I was set on it.

During childhood, I was always miming air guitar, pretending to play to the most popular rock tunes with my invisible instrument. My parents were enthusiasts – my dad loved Bruce Springsteen and U2. the band AC/DC was the initial group I stumbled upon myself. Angus Young, the guitar hero, was my idol.

As I took the stage, I did my routine to AC/DC’s the song Whole Lotta Rosie. The crowd started shouting “Angus”, similar to the live recording, and it hit me: this is what it feels like to be a rock star. I reached the championship, performing to hundreds of people in the public plaza, and I was captivated. I got the nickname “Little Angus” that day.

Then I took a break. I was a referee one year, and started the show on another occasion, but I didn't participate. I went back at 18, experimented with various stage names, but everyone still referred to me as “Little Angus” so I decided to own it and adopt “The Angus” as my performance alias. I’ve made it to the final annually from 2022 onward, and in 2023 I placed second, so I was set to claim victory this year.

The worldwide group is like a family. Our guiding principle is ‘Play air guitar, avoid battles’. Though it appears humorous, but it’s a real philosophy.

The competition itself is high-energy yet fun. Contestants have 60 seconds to give everything – explosive energy, precise mimicry, performance charm – on an imaginary instrument. Judges rate you on a grading system from four to six. In the case of a tie, there’s an “tiebreaker” between the remaining participants: a song plays and you freestyle.

Preparation is everything. I picked an Avenged Sevenfold song for my routine. I played it repeatedly for multiple weeks. I practiced flexibility, trying to get my limbs flexible enough to leap, my hands nimble enough to imitate guitar parts and my upper body ready for those bends and jumps. Once the big day dawned, I could feel the song in my being.

Once all acts were done, the results were tallied, and I had tied with the titleholder from Japan, Yuta “Sudo-chan” Sudo – it was time for an tiebreaker. We competed directly to Sweet Child o’ Mine by the rock group. When I heard the song, I felt at ease because it was one that I knew, and more than anything I was so thrilled to perform one more time. When they announced I’d emerged victorious, the square went wild.

My memory is blurry. I think I lost consciousness from the excitement. Then the crowd started performing the classic tune Rockin’ in the Free World and hoisted me on to their shoulders. One of the greats – AKA his stage name – a past winner and one of my dear companions, was holding me. I shed tears. I was the inaugural from Finland air guitar global winner in two and a half decades. The previous Finnish champion, Markus “Black Raven” Vainionpää, was also present. He offered me the warmest embrace and said it was “about damn time”.

Our global network is like a support system. The phrase we live by is “Focus on fun, not fighting”. Though it appears comical, but it’s a genuine belief. Competitors come from globally, and each person is helpful and motivating. As you prepare to compete, all participants offers an embrace. Then for one minute you’re free to be free, playful, the biggest rock star in the world.

I’m also a drummer and string player in a musical act with my brother called the band name, named after Gareth Southgate, as we’re influenced by Britpop and new wave. I’ve been working in bars for a few years now, and I produce mini movies and music videos. The victory hasn’t affected my daily activities drastically but I’ve been doing a lot of press, and I wish it results in more artistic projects. My hometown will be a cultural hub the coming year, so there are promising opportunities.

For now, I’m just thankful: for the network, for the ability to compete, and for that young child who picked up a newspaper and thought, “I want to do that.”