🔗 Share this article

Back when I was 10, I read about a article in my hometown newspaper about the Air Guitar World Championships, held annually every year in my hometown of Oulu, Finland. Mom and Dad had volunteered at the very first contest starting from 1996 – my mother handed out flyers, my father managed the music. From that point, national championships have been staged all across the world, with the champions assembling in Oulu annually.

At the time, I asked my parents if I could participate. Initially they had doubts; 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 miming air guitar, pretending to play to the most popular rock tunes with my imaginary instrument. My family were music fans – my father loved Bruce Springsteen and U2. the Australian rockers was the initial group I discovered on my own. the lead guitarist, the guitar hero, was my idol.

Upon entering the spotlight, I played my set to the band's Whole Lotta Rosie. The crowd started yelling “Angus”, reminiscent of the concert version, and it hit me: this must be to be a guitar hero. I advanced to the last round, competing to hundreds of people in Oulu’s market square, and I was captivated. I earned the moniker “Little Angus” that day.

Later I paused. I was a judge one year, and opened for the show on another occasion, but I stayed out of the contest. I went back at 18, tested out several stage names, but everyone still referred to me as “Little Angus” so I embraced it and adopt “The Angus” as my performance alias. I’ve made it to the final each competition since then, and in 2023 I was the runner-up, so I was determined to win this year.

The worldwide group is like a support system. The saying we live by is ‘Create music, not conflict’. It may seem funny, but it’s a true ethos.

The competition itself is intense but joyful. Contestants have a short window to put their all – explosive energy, perfect mime, rock star charisma – on an nonexistent axe. The panel evaluate you on a scale from 4.0 to 6.0. In the case of a tie, there’s an “air-off” between the final two contestants: a track is selected and you freestyle.

Training is crucial. I chose an the band Avenged Sevenfold song for my routine. I played it repeatedly for multiple weeks. I did regular stretches, trying to get my legs loose enough to leap, my digits fast enough to imitate guitar parts and my upper body prepared for those gestures and hops. When the event dawned, I could feel the song in my bones.

Once all acts were done, the results were tallied, and I had drawn with the titleholder from Japan, a competitor known as Sudo-chan – it was occasion for an tiebreaker. We faced off to that classic rock anthem by the rock group. When I heard the song, I felt at ease because it was familiar to me, and more than anything I was so excited to perform one more time. As they declared I’d triumphed, the venue erupted.

It's all a bit fuzzy. I think I blacked out from surprise. Then the crowd started singing the song that well-known track and lifted me on to their arms. One of the greats – AKA his stage name – a previous titleholder and one of my dear companions, was holding me. I shed tears. I was the inaugural from Finland air guitar global winner in a quarter-century. The prior titleholder, the former champion, was also present. He offered me the most heartfelt squeeze and said it was “long overdue”.

Our global network is like a support system. Our motto is “Focus on fun, not fighting”. Though it appears comical, but it’s a true way of life. Competitors come from many countries, and everyone is supportive and encouraging. As you prepare to compete, each contestant comes and hugs you. Then for a brief period you’re free to be free, silly, the top performer in the world.

I’m also a beat keeper and string player in a band with my family member called the band name, referencing the sports figure, as we’re inspired by Britpop and new wave. I’ve been serving drinks for a short time, and I produce mini movies and song visuals. Winning hasn’t changed my day-to-day life significantly but I’ve been doing a extensive media, and I wish it leads to more creative work. The city will be a European capital of culture the coming year, so there are promising opportunities.

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