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When I was just 10, I read about a feature in my community gazette about the World Air Guitar Competition, which take place every year in my native city of Oulu, Finland. Mom and Dad had volunteered at the pioneering contest back in 1996 – mom gave out flyers, my dad managed the music. Since then, national championships have been organized in many nations, with the titleholders assembling in Oulu every summer.

Back then, I requested permission if I could enter. Initially they had doubts; the event was in a bar, and there would be many grown-ups. They believed it might be an overwhelming atmosphere, but I was set on it.

During childhood, I was always performing air guitar, acting out to the biggest rock tunes with my invisible instrument. My parents were music fans – dad loved Bruce Springsteen and U2. AC/DC was the initial group I stumbled upon myself. the lead guitarist, the lead guitarist, was my idol.

As I took the stage, I played my set to AC/DC’s Whole Lotta Rosie. The crowd started yelling “Angus”, reminiscent of the live recording, and it hit me: this must be to be a guitar hero. I advanced to the last round, performing to hundreds of people in the public plaza, and I was hooked. I got the nickname “Little Angus” that day.

After that I stopped. I was a judge one year, and started the show another time, but I stayed out of the contest. I went back at 18, tried a few different stage names, but everyone still referred to me as “Little Angus” so I decided to own it and adopt “The Angus” as my performance alias. I’ve made it to the final annually from 2022 onward, and in 2023 I placed second, so I was determined to win this year.

The air guitar community is like a close-knit group. Our guiding principle is ‘Make air, not war’. It sounds silly, but it’s a true ethos.

The event is competitive but uplifting. Competitors have a short window to deliver maximum effort – high-powered performance, precise mimicry, performance charm – on an imaginary instrument. The panel rate you on a point range from a specific numeric range. When it's a draw, there’s an “air-off” between the remaining participants: a song plays and you freestyle.

Training is crucial. I chose an the band Avenged Sevenfold song for my act. I played it repeatedly for weeks. I stretched constantly, trying to get my lower body prepared enough to bound, my fingers nimble enough to imitate guitar parts and my back prepared for those bends and jumps. When competition day came, I could internalize the track in my bones.

When the show concluded, the results were tallied, and I had drawn with the titleholder from Japan, Yuta “Sudo-chan” Sudo – it was moment for an final showdown. We went head-to-head to that classic rock anthem by Guns N’ Roses. When I heard the song, I felt comforted because it was a tune I recognized, and more than anything I was so thrilled to play again. As they declared I’d won, the area erupted.

It's all a bit fuzzy. I think I zoned out from surprise. Then all present started chanting the classic tune that well-known track and lifted me on to their arms. Justin Howard – AKA his performer title – a past winner and one of my closest friends, was embracing me. I wept. I was the inaugural from Finland air guitar international titleholder in a quarter-century. The prior titleholder, the earlier victor, was in attendance as well. He gave me the warmest embrace and said it was “about damn time”.

This worldwide group is like a close-knit group. Our guiding saying is “Make air, not war”. It sounds silly, but it’s a genuine belief. Participants come from globally, and everyone is supportive and encouraging. Before you go on stage, all participants shows support. Then for 60 seconds you’re allowed to be free, silly, the ultimate music icon in the world.

Besides that, I'm a drummer and musician in a musical act with my sibling called the Southgates, named after Gareth Southgate, as we’re influenced by UK rock and post-punk. I’ve been bartending for a couple of years, and I produce short films and music videos. Winning hasn’t changed my day-to-day life too much but I’ve been doing a many interviews, and I aspire it results in more creative work. Oulu will be a European capital of culture next year, so there are promising opportunities.

For now, I’m just thankful: for the network, for the opportunity to play, and for that budding enthusiast who read an article and thought, “I'd love to try that.”