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At the age of 10, I discovered a story in my hometown newspaper about the World Air Guitar Competition, which take place every year in my birthplace of Oulu, Finland. Mom and Dad had volunteered at the inaugural contest back in 1996 – mom distributed flyers, my father sorted the music. Since then, country-level contests have been staged in many nations, with the champions gathering in Oulu each August.

Initially, I inquired with my family if I could participate. Initially they had doubts; the competition was in a bar, and there would be an older crowd. They felt it might be an overwhelming atmosphere, but I was determined.

During childhood, I was always performing air guitar, pretending to play to the biggest rock tunes with my invisible instrument. My family were lovers of music – my father loved Springsteen and U2. the band AC/DC was the initial group I discovered on my own. Angus Young, the guitar hero, was my inspiration.

When I stepped on stage, I performed my act to AC/DC’s that classic track. The crowd started chanting “Angus”, just like the live recording, and it struck me: this must be to be a guitar hero. I made it to the finals, performing to crowds in the town square, and I was addicted. I got the nickname “Little Angus” that day.

After that I stopped. I was a referee one year, and started the show on another occasion, but I didn't participate. I went back at 18, tried a few different stage names, but people kept calling me “Little Angus” so I decided to own it and make “The Angus” as my performance alias. I’ve made it to the final every year since 2022, and in 2023 I came second, so I was set 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 competitive but uplifting. Contestants have a short window to deliver maximum effort – high-powered performance, perfect mime, rock star charisma – on an nonexistent axe. Adjudicators score you on a grading system from four to six. When it's a draw, there’s an “tiebreaker” between the last two competitors: a song plays and you improvise.

Preparation is everything. I picked an Avenged Sevenfold song for my performance. I had it on repeat for multiple weeks. I did regular stretches, trying to get my lower body prepared enough to leap, my hands quick enough to imitate guitar parts and my spine prepared for those moves and leaps. Once the event came, I could internalize the track in my being.

Once all acts were done, the results were tallied, and I had drawn with the winner from Japan, the Japanese titleholder – it was moment for an final showdown. We faced off to Sweet Child o’ Mine by the iconic band. Once the track began, I felt comforted because it was one that I knew, and primarily I was so eager to have another go. When they announced I’d won, the venue erupted.

The moment is hazy. I think I lost consciousness from the excitement. Then the crowd started singing the classic tune Rockin’ in the Free World and raised me up on to their shoulders. A former champion – also known as his stage name – a former champion and one of my closest friends, was holding me. I shed tears. I was the first Finnish air guitar world champion in a quarter-century. The prior titleholder, Markus “Black Raven” Vainionpää, was there, too. He offered me the most heartfelt squeeze and said it was “long overdue”.

This worldwide group is like a family. Our motto is “Create music, not conflict”. Though it appears comical, but it’s a genuine belief. Competitors come from globally, and each person is positive and uplifting. As you prepare to compete, every competitor offers an embrace. Then for a brief period you’re able to be free, silly, the biggest rock star in the world.

Additionally, I am a percussionist and guitarist in a group with my sibling called the group title, named after the football manager, as we’re influenced by British music genres. I’ve been bartending for a short time, and I direct independent videos and music videos. The title hasn’t changed my day-to-day life significantly but I’ve been doing a lot of press, and I hope it results in more innovative opportunities. Oulu will be a designated cultural center soon, so there are promising opportunities.

Currently, I’m just thankful: for the community, for the opportunity to play, and for that little kid who read an article and thought, “I'd love to try that.”