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At the age of 10, I read about a article in my local paper about the Global Air Guitar Contest, which take place every year in my hometown of Oulu, Finland. My family had participated at the pioneering contest since 1996 – my mother handed out flyers, my dad sorted the music. Since then, country-level contests have been held globally, with the champions converging in Oulu each August.

At the time, I asked my parents if I could enter. Initially they had doubts; the competition was in a bar, and there would be many grown-ups. They thought it might be an intimidating atmosphere, but I was determined.

As a kid, I was always “playing” air guitar, acting out to the most popular rock tunes with my imaginary instrument. My family were lovers of music – my dad loved Bruce Springsteen and the Irish rock band. the band AC/DC was the initial group I stumbled upon myself. the lead guitarist, the guitar hero, was my idol.

Upon entering the spotlight, I played my set to the band's that classic track. The spectators started chanting “Angus”, just like the album track, and it dawned on me: so this is to be a rock star. I advanced to the last round, performing to a large audience in Oulu’s market square, 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 stayed out of the contest. I came back at 18, experimented with various stage names, but fans continued using “Little Angus” so I embraced it and choose “The Angus” as my stage name. I’ve made it to the final every year since 2022, and in 2023 I placed second, so I was set to win this year.

Our global network is like a family. The saying we live by is ‘Play air guitar, avoid battles’. It sounds silly, but it’s a true ethos.

The event is high-energy yet fun. Contestants have a short window to put their all – high-powered performance, perfect mime, performance charm – on an imaginary instrument. The panel evaluate you on a point range from four to six. In the case of a tie, there’s an “tiebreaker” between the final two contestants: a track is selected and you create on the spot.

Getting ready is key. I chose an a metal group song for my performance. I had it on repeat for multiple weeks. I did regular stretches, trying to get my lower body flexible enough to bound, my digits quick enough to copy riffs and my upper body ready for those bends and jumps. When the event dawned, I could feel the song in my bones.

After everyone had performed, the results were tallied, and I had matched with the winner from Japan, a competitor known as Sudo-chan – it was moment for an tiebreaker. We faced off to Sweet Child o’ Mine by the iconic band. Once the track began, I felt relieved because it was one that I knew, and above all I was so excited to play again. As they declared I’d emerged victorious, the area exploded.

My memory is blurry. I think I lost consciousness from surprise. Then all present started chanting the classic tune the anthem Rockin' in the Free World and raised me up on to their backs. Justin Howard – AKA his performer title – a previous titleholder and one of my dear companions, was hugging me. I wept. I was the first Finnish air guitar global winner in a quarter-century. The earlier winner from Finland, the earlier victor, was there, too. He offered me the warmest embrace and said it was “long overdue”.

The air guitar community is like a family. Our guiding saying is “Create music, not conflict”. It sounds silly, but it’s a real philosophy. Participants come from many countries, and everyone is positive and uplifting. Before you go on stage, all participants offers an embrace. Then for a brief period you’re allowed to be free, playful, the top performer in the world.

Besides that, I'm a beat keeper and musician in a musical act with my sibling called the band name, referencing the sports figure, as we’re influenced by British music genres. I’ve been working in bars for a couple of years, and I direct short films and performance clips. Winning hasn’t altered my routine too much but I’ve been doing a lot of press, and I hope it brings more creative work. Oulu will be a cultural hub soon, so there are exciting things ahead.

Currently, I’m just thankful: for the group, for the chance to perform, and for that young child who read an article and thought, “I want to do that.”