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Back when I was 10, I discovered a feature in my community gazette about the Global Air Guitar Contest, which take place every year in my birthplace of Oulu, Finland. My family had participated at the very first contest back in 1996 – mom handed out flyers, my dad organized the music. Ever since, national championships have been organized in many nations, with the winners assembling in Oulu every summer.

Back then, I requested permission if I could compete. At first they were hesitant; the event was in a bar, and there would be a lot of adults. They thought it might be an overwhelming atmosphere, but I was determined.

As a kid, I was always performing air guitar, acting out to the biggest rock tunes with my invisible instrument. My parents were lovers of music – dad loved The Boss and the Irish rock band. the band AC/DC was the initial group I discovered on my own. the guitarist, the lead guitarist, was my inspiration.

Upon entering the spotlight, I performed my act to the band's Whole Lotta Rosie. The crowd started yelling “Angus”, just like the concert version, and it struck me: so this is to be a guitar hero. I reached the championship, performing to hundreds of people in Oulu’s market square, and I was addicted. I was dubbed “Little Angus” that day.

Then I took a break. I was a referee one year, and started the show once more, but I didn’t compete. I returned at 18, experimented with various stage names, but fans continued using “Little Angus” so I decided to own it and adopt “The Angus” as my stage name. I’ve reached the finals every year since 2022, and in 2023 I came second, so I was resolved to take the title this year.

Our global network is like a close-knit group. Our guiding principle is ‘Play air guitar, avoid battles’. Though it appears humorous, but it’s a genuine belief.

The contest is high-energy yet fun. Participants have a short window to put their all – explosive energy, flawless imitation, rock star charisma – on an imaginary instrument. Adjudicators score you on a point range from 4.0 to 6.0. If scores are equal, there’s an “tiebreaker” between the final two contestants: a track is selected and you create on the spot.

Training is crucial. I selected an Avenged Sevenfold song for my performance. I had it on repeat for a long time. I did regular stretches, trying to get my limbs flexible enough to leap, my fingers fast enough to imitate guitar parts and my back set for those moves and leaps. By the time competition day arrived, I could sense the music in my being.

Once all acts were done, the points were announced, and I had matched with the Japanese champion, the Japanese titleholder – it was moment for an tiebreaker. We competed directly to that classic rock anthem by the iconic band. When I heard the song, I felt comforted because it was a tune I recognized, and more than anything I was so excited to play again. When they announced I’d won, the venue exploded.

The moment is hazy. I think I blacked out from surprise. Then all present started performing Neil Young’s the anthem Rockin' in the Free World and lifted me on to their arms. A former champion – alias Nordic Thunder – a previous titleholder and one of my closest friends, was hugging me. I shed tears. I was Finland’s first air guitar international titleholder in a quarter-century. The previous Finnish champion, the earlier victor, was there, too. He gave me the biggest hug and said it was “finally happening”.

Our global network is like a family. The phrase we live by is “Focus on fun, not fighting”. It may seem humorous, but it’s a genuine belief. People come from all over the world, and all involved is positive and uplifting. Before you go on stage, all participants offers an embrace. Then for 60 seconds you’re able to be uninhibited, humorous, the biggest rock star in the world.

Additionally, I am a percussionist and string player in a band with my family member called the band name, inspired by the sports figure, as we’re inspired by Britpop and new wave. I’ve been serving drinks for a few years now, and I direct independent videos and music videos. The victory hasn’t affected my daily activities too much but I’ve been doing a lot of press, and I wish it results in more artistic projects. Oulu will be a designated cultural center next year, so there are promising opportunities.

Currently, I’m just appreciative: for the network, for the opportunity to play, and for that little kid who picked up a newspaper and thought, “I want to do that.”