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Back when I was 10, I discovered a feature in my community gazette about the World Air Guitar Competition, held annually every year in my hometown of Oulu, Finland. My parents had volunteered at the very first contest back in 1996 – my mum gave out flyers, my father sorted the music. Since then, country-level contests have been staged globally, with the winners assembling in Oulu annually.

Back then, I inquired with my family if I could enter. At first they were hesitant; the competition was in a bar, and there would be a lot of adults. They thought it might be an overwhelming atmosphere, but I was resolved.

In my youth, I was always miming air guitar, miming along to the biggest rock tunes with my imaginary instrument. My parents were music fans – dad loved The Boss and the Irish rock band. AC/DC was the first band I stumbled upon myself. the lead guitarist, the frontman guitarist, was my idol.

As I took the stage, I performed my act to AC/DC’s that classic track. The spectators started shouting “Angus”, just like the album track, and it struck me: so this is to be a music icon. I made it to the finals, playing to a large audience in the town square, and I was hooked. I got the nickname “Little Angus” that day.

Later I paused. I was a judge one year, and opened for the show another time, but I didn't participate. I came back at 18, experimented with various stage names, but everyone still referred to me as “Little Angus” so I accepted it fully and adopt “The Angus” as my performance alias. I’ve made it to the final each competition since then, and in 2023 I placed second, so I was determined to win this year.

The worldwide group is like a close-knit group. The saying we live by is ‘Play air guitar, avoid battles’. Though it appears humorous, but it’s a genuine belief.

The competition itself is high-energy yet fun. Contestants have a short window to put their all – dynamic presence, perfect mime, stage magnetism – on an invisible guitar. Judges score you on a point range from 4.0 to 6.0. In the case of a tie, there’s an “showdown” between the final two contestants: a tune begins and you freestyle.

Preparation is everything. I picked an the band Avenged Sevenfold song for my routine. I had it on repeat for a long time. I did regular stretches, trying to get my limbs prepared enough to bound, my fingers nimble enough to copy riffs and my upper body prepared for those moves and leaps. When the event came, I could feel the song in my soul.

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 final showdown. We went head-to-head to the Guns N’ Roses hit by the rock group. As the music started, I felt relieved because it was one that I knew, and above all I was so excited to perform one more time. When they announced I’d emerged victorious, the area erupted.

My memory is blurry. I think I zoned out from surprise. Then everyone started chanting the classic tune that well-known track and lifted me on to their backs. Justin Howard – also known as Nordic Thunder – a former champion and one of my best pals, was hugging me. I cried. I was the inaugural from Finland air guitar global winner in a quarter-century. The prior titleholder, the earlier victor, was in attendance as well. He bestowed upon me the biggest hug and said it was “finally happening”.

The air guitar community is like a support system. Our motto is “Focus on fun, not fighting”. It sounds silly, but it’s a real philosophy. Competitors come from all over the world, and each person is supportive and encouraging. As you prepare to compete, every competitor comes and hugs you. Then for one minute you’re free to be uninhibited, silly, the biggest rock star in the world.

Additionally, I am a beat keeper and guitarist in a musical act with my brother called the Southgates, inspired by Gareth Southgate, as we’re inspired by Britpop and new wave. I’ve been bartending for a few years now, and I create independent videos and performance clips. The title hasn’t altered my routine significantly but I’ve been doing a lot of press, and I aspire it leads to more artistic projects. My hometown will be a European capital of culture soon, so there are great prospects.

For now, I’m just appreciative: for the network, for the chance to perform, and for that budding enthusiast who picked up a newspaper and thought, “I'd love to try that.”