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Back when I was 10, I came across a story in my local paper about the Global Air Guitar Contest, that happens every year in my hometown of Oulu, Finland. My parents had volunteered at the very first contest back in 1996 – my mother gave out flyers, my dad organized the music. Ever since, country-level contests have been organized in many nations, with the titleholders gathering in Oulu every summer.

Initially, I inquired with my family if I could compete. They weren't sure at first; the event was in a bar, and there would be a lot of adults. They believed it might be an daunting atmosphere, but I was resolved.

As a kid, I was always performing air guitar, pretending to play to the iconic rock tunes with my invisible instrument. My family were music fans – my father loved Bruce Springsteen and U2. the band AC/DC was the first band I found independently. the guitarist, the guitar hero, was my hero.

As I took the stage, I performed my act to AC/DC’s the song Whole Lotta Rosie. The crowd started shouting “Angus”, just like the live recording, and it struck me: so this is to be a music icon. I reached the championship, competing 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 kicked off the show once more, but I didn’t compete. I came back at 18, tried a few different stage names, but fans continued using “Little Angus” so I embraced it and adopt “The Angus” as my stage name. I’ve qualified for the last round each competition since then, and in 2023 I placed second, so I was determined to take the title this year.

The air guitar community is like a family. The saying we live by is ‘Make air, not war’. It sounds silly, but it’s a real philosophy.

The competition itself is high-energy yet fun. Competitors have a short window to put their all – high-powered performance, precise mimicry, performance charm – on an nonexistent axe. Adjudicators score you on a scale from 4.0 to 6.0. When it's a draw, there’s an “air-off” between the final two contestants: a tune begins and you improvise.

Preparation is everything. I chose an the band Avenged Sevenfold song for my performance. I played it repeatedly for weeks. I did regular stretches, trying to get my legs prepared enough to jump, my digits quick enough to copy riffs and my upper body set for those bends and jumps. Once the event came, I could sense the music in my being.

When the show concluded, the results were tallied, and I had drawn with the winner from Japan, the Japanese titleholder – it was occasion for an final showdown. We faced off to Sweet Child o’ Mine by the rock group. When I heard the song, I felt at ease because it was a tune I recognized, and more than anything I was so thrilled to play again. When they announced I’d triumphed, the area erupted.

My memory is blurry. I think I blacked out from the excitement. Then the crowd started performing Neil Young’s Rockin’ in the Free World and lifted me on to their backs. Justin Howard – AKA his stage name – a previous titleholder and one of my dear companions, was embracing me. I wept. I was the inaugural from Finland air guitar world champion in 25 years. The previous Finnish champion, the earlier victor, was in attendance as well. He gave me the warmest embrace and said it was “long overdue”.

Our global network is like a support system. The phrase we live by is “Focus on fun, not fighting”. Though it appears comical, but it’s a true way of life. People come from many countries, and all involved is supportive and encouraging. Prior to performing, each contestant shows support. Then for 60 seconds you’re free to be free, humorous, the ultimate music icon in the world.

I’m also a percussionist and guitarist in a band with my brother called the band name, named after the football manager, as we’re fans of UK rock and post-punk. I’ve been serving drinks for a couple of years, and I produce mini movies and song visuals. The title hasn’t altered my routine significantly but I’ve been doing a many interviews, and I hope it brings more artistic projects. The city will be a European capital of culture soon, so there are promising opportunities.

At present, I’m just grateful: for the network, for the opportunity to play, and for that young child who picked up a newspaper and thought, “I'd love to try that.”