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Back when I was 10, I read about a article in my community gazette about the Global Air Guitar Contest, which take place every year in my birthplace of Oulu, Finland. My parents had volunteered at the inaugural contest since 1996 – mom distributed flyers, my father organized the music. Ever since, national championships have been held globally, with the winners assembling in Oulu annually.

Back then, I inquired with my family if I could participate. At first they were hesitant; the event was in a bar, and there would be many grown-ups. They believed it might be an overwhelming atmosphere, but I was resolved.

In my youth, I was always “playing” air guitar, miming along to the iconic rock tunes with my make-believe instrument. Mom and Dad were lovers of music – my father loved The Boss and U2. the Australian rockers was the initial group I found independently. the lead guitarist, the frontman guitarist, was my idol.

When I stepped on stage, I did my routine to AC/DC’s that classic track. The spectators started yelling “Angus”, just like the concert version, and it hit me: this must be to be a music icon. I made it to the finals, competing to a large audience in Oulu’s market square, and I was hooked. I was dubbed “Little Angus” that day.

After that I stopped. I was a judge one year, and opened for the show once more, but I stayed out of the contest. I came back at 18, tested out several stage names, but people kept calling me “Little Angus” so I decided to own it and make “The Angus” as my stage name. I’ve reached the finals annually from 2022 onward, and in 2023 I came second, so I was determined to claim victory this year.

The worldwide group is like a close-knit group. Our motto is ‘Make air, not war’. Though it appears humorous, but it’s a genuine belief.

The competition itself is competitive but uplifting. Contestants have 60 seconds to deliver maximum effort – dynamic presence, perfect mime, performance charm – on an invisible guitar. The panel evaluate you on a grading system from a specific numeric range. If scores are equal, there’s an “showdown” between the remaining participants: a song plays and you create on the spot.

Training is crucial. I selected an Avenged Sevenfold song for my performance. I had it on repeat for weeks. I stretched constantly, trying to get my legs flexible enough to leap, my digits nimble enough to mimic solos and my spine prepared for those bends and jumps. When competition day arrived, I could feel the song in my bones.

When the show concluded, the results were tallied, and I had tied with the Japanese champion, the Japanese titleholder – it was time for an tiebreaker. We competed directly to the Guns N’ Roses hit by the rock group. When I heard the song, I felt relieved because it was familiar to me, and more than anything I was so thrilled to have another go. As they declared I’d emerged victorious, the area exploded.

My memory is blurry. I think I zoned out from the excitement. Then everyone started performing Neil Young’s Rockin’ in the Free World and hoisted me on to their backs. A former champion – AKA Nordic Thunder – a past winner and one of my dear companions, was embracing me. I shed tears. I was the inaugural from Finland air guitar international titleholder in two and a half decades. The previous Finnish champion, the earlier victor, was there, too. He bestowed upon me the warmest embrace and said it was “finally happening”.

This worldwide group is like a family. Our motto is “Create music, not conflict”. It may seem humorous, but it’s a true way of life. People come from globally, and all involved is positive and uplifting. As you prepare to compete, each contestant comes and hugs you. Then for a brief period you’re free to be yourself, silly, the ultimate music icon in the world.

Besides that, I'm a percussionist and musician in a musical act with my family member called the band name, inspired by the football manager, as we’re influenced by UK rock and post-punk. I’ve been bartending for a few years now, and I produce independent videos and performance clips. The victory hasn’t changed my day-to-day life drastically but I’ve been doing a many interviews, and I hope it results in more innovative opportunities. Oulu will be a European capital of culture next year, so there are exciting things ahead.

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