🔗 Share this article

When I was just 10, I came across a article in my community gazette about the Air Guitar World Championships, which take place every year in my native city of Oulu, Finland. My family had helped out at the inaugural contest starting from 1996 – mom distributed flyers, my father managed the music. From that point, country-level contests have been held all across the world, with the champions gathering in Oulu annually.

Back then, I requested permission if I could participate. At first they were hesitant; the competition was in a bar, and there would be many grown-ups. They thought it might be an overwhelming atmosphere, but I was set on it.

During childhood, I was always performing air guitar, miming along to the iconic rock tunes with my invisible instrument. My family were lovers of music – my dad loved The Boss and U2. AC/DC was the initial group I found independently. Angus Young, the frontman guitarist, was my inspiration.

Upon entering the spotlight, I did my routine to the band's that classic track. The crowd started shouting “Angus”, just like the album track, and it hit me: this must be to be a rock star. I reached the championship, performing to hundreds of people in the town square, and I was captivated. I earned the moniker “Little Angus” that day.

After that I stopped. I was a referee one year, and opened for the show another time, but I didn’t compete. I went back at 18, tested out several stage names, but fans continued using “Little Angus” so I accepted it fully and choose “The Angus” as my stage name. I’ve reached the finals annually from 2022 onward, and in 2023 I placed second, so I was determined to win this year.

Our global network is like a close-knit group. Our motto is ‘Create music, not conflict’. It sounds silly, but it’s a real philosophy.

The event is competitive but uplifting. Contestants have 60 seconds to deliver maximum effort – high-powered performance, precise mimicry, stage magnetism – on an imaginary instrument. The panel rate you on a scale from a specific numeric range. In the case of a tie, there’s an “air-off” between the final two contestants: a song plays and you create on the spot.

Training is crucial. I picked an Avenged Sevenfold song for my routine. I listened to it on a loop for multiple weeks. I practiced flexibility, trying to get my lower body loose enough to jump, my fingers fast enough to imitate guitar parts and my upper body ready for those bends and jumps. Once the big day arrived, I could sense the music in my being.

Once all acts were done, the scores came in, and I had drawn with the winner from Japan, a competitor known as Sudo-chan – it was time for an air-off. We faced off to Sweet Child o’ Mine by the iconic band. When I heard the song, I felt comforted because it was one that I knew, and primarily I was so eager to have another go. As they declared I’d won, the square went wild.

It's all a bit fuzzy. I think I blacked out from shock. Then everyone started singing the song the anthem Rockin' in the Free World and hoisted me on to their shoulders. Justin Howard – alias Nordic Thunder – a previous titleholder and one of my best pals, was hugging me. I wept. I was Finland’s first air guitar world champion in two and a half decades. The previous Finnish champion, the earlier victor, was in attendance as well. He bestowed upon me the biggest hug and said it was “long overdue”.

The air guitar community is like a family. Our guiding saying is “Make air, not war”. It may seem humorous, but it’s a genuine belief. People come from many countries, and each person is supportive and encouraging. Before you go on stage, all participants offers an embrace. Then for 60 seconds you’re able to be uninhibited, playful, the ultimate music icon in the world.

Besides that, I'm a percussionist and guitarist in a band with my brother called the band name, named after Gareth Southgate, as we’re inspired by British music genres. I’ve been serving drinks for a short time, and I create short films and song visuals. The victory hasn’t affected my daily activities too much but I’ve been doing a many interviews, and I hope it leads to more artistic projects. Oulu will be a European capital of culture next year, so there are promising opportunities.

At present, I’m just appreciative: for the network, for the ability to compete, and for that young child who found a story and thought, “I'd love to try that.”