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When I was just 10, I came across a story in my community gazette about the Global Air Guitar Contest, which take place every year in my hometown of Oulu, Finland. My family had participated at the very first contest starting from 1996 – mom handed out flyers, my dad sorted the music. From that point, national championships have been staged in many nations, with the champions assembling in Oulu every summer.

Initially, I asked my parents if I could compete. At first they were hesitant; the show was in a bar, and there would be many grown-ups. They thought it might be an intimidating atmosphere, but I was determined.

As a kid, I was always “playing” air guitar, pretending to play to the most popular rock tunes with my imaginary instrument. My family were music fans – dad loved Bruce Springsteen and U2. the Australian rockers was the original act I discovered on my own. the guitarist, the guitar hero, was my hero.

As I took the stage, I performed my act to the band's that classic track. The crowd started chanting “Angus”, reminiscent of the live recording, and it hit me: this must be to be a music icon. I advanced to the last round, performing to crowds in Oulu’s market square, and I was hooked. I earned the moniker “Little Angus” that day.

After that I stopped. I was a judge one year, and kicked off the show once more, but I didn’t compete. I went back at 18, tested out several stage names, but everyone still referred to me as “Little Angus” so I decided to own it and make “The Angus” as my artist name. I’ve made it to the final every year since 2022, and in 2023 I was the runner-up, so I was resolved to win this year.

The air guitar community is like a close-knit group. Our guiding principle is ‘Make air, not war’. Though it appears humorous, but it’s a genuine belief.

The event is intense but joyful. Competitors have one minute to give everything – high-powered performance, perfect mime, stage magnetism – on an imaginary instrument. Judges evaluate you on a scale from four to six. In the case of a tie, there’s an “tiebreaker” between the last two competitors: a tune begins and you freestyle.

Training is crucial. I picked an the band Avenged Sevenfold song for my performance. I had it on repeat for multiple weeks. I stretched constantly, trying to get my legs loose enough to bound, my digits nimble enough to copy riffs and my upper body prepared for those moves and leaps. Once competition day dawned, I could feel the song in my soul.

When the show concluded, the scores came in, and I had drawn with the titleholder from Japan, the Japanese titleholder – it was occasion for an tiebreaker. We faced off to the Guns N’ Roses hit by the iconic band. 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 won, the square went wild.

It's all a bit fuzzy. I think I zoned out from the excitement. Then the crowd started singing the song that well-known track and hoisted me on to their shoulders. A former champion – also known as Nordic Thunder – a former champion and one of my dear companions, was hugging me. I wept. I was the inaugural from Finland air guitar global winner in 25 years. The previous Finnish champion, Markus “Black Raven” Vainionpää, was in attendance as well. He gave me the warmest embrace and said it was “long overdue”.

This worldwide group is like a support system. Our guiding saying is “Focus on fun, not fighting”. It may seem humorous, but it’s a true way of life. Competitors come from globally, and each person is helpful and motivating. Before you go on stage, each contestant offers an embrace. Then for a brief period you’re allowed to be yourself, playful, the ultimate music icon in the world.

Additionally, I am a beat keeper and guitarist in a group with my brother called the group title, referencing the football manager, as we’re influenced by Britpop and new wave. I’ve been serving drinks for a few years now, and I produce short films and song visuals. The title hasn’t altered my routine too much but I’ve been doing a many interviews, and I aspire it brings more artistic projects. Oulu will be a European capital of culture next year, so there are promising opportunities.

For now, I’m just thankful: for the group, for the ability to compete, and for that budding enthusiast who read an article and thought, “That's for me.”