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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 hometown of Oulu, Finland. My family had participated at the pioneering contest since 1996 – my mother handed out flyers, my father organized the music. Ever since, domestic competitions have been organized all across the world, with the champions assembling in Oulu each August.

At the time, I inquired with my family if I could enter. They weren't sure at first; the event was in a bar, and there would be a lot of adults. They felt it might be an intimidating atmosphere, but I was set on it.

During childhood, I was always miming air guitar, acting out to the biggest rock tunes with my make-believe instrument. My parents were enthusiasts – my father loved Springsteen and the Irish rock band. the Australian rockers was the original act I discovered on my own. the guitarist, the frontman guitarist, was my inspiration.

As I took the stage, I did my routine to the band's Whole Lotta Rosie. The crowd started chanting “Angus”, similar to the live recording, and it hit me: this must be to be a guitar hero. I made it to the finals, playing to hundreds of people in Oulu’s market square, and I was addicted. I was dubbed “Little Angus” that day.

After that I stopped. I was a adjudicator one year, and started the show once more, but I stayed out of the contest. I went back at 18, experimented with various stage names, but fans continued using “Little Angus” so I accepted it fully and make “The Angus” as my stage name. I’ve made it to the final each competition since then, and in 2023 I placed second, so I was resolved to take the title this year.

The air guitar community is like a close-knit group. The saying we live by is ‘Create music, not conflict’. It sounds silly, but it’s a genuine belief.

The competition itself is competitive but uplifting. Contestants have 60 seconds to deliver maximum effort – explosive energy, perfect mime, rock star charisma – on an nonexistent axe. Judges evaluate 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 song plays and you improvise.

Getting ready is key. I chose an a metal group song for my performance. I listened to it on a loop for a long time. I stretched constantly, trying to get my legs prepared enough to jump, my hands nimble enough to mimic solos and my spine set for those bends and jumps. Once competition day came, I could sense the music in my bones.

After everyone had performed, the scores came in, and I had drawn with the winner from Japan, the Japanese titleholder – it was occasion for an air-off. We faced off to that classic rock anthem by the rock group. Once the track began, I felt relieved because it was one that I knew, and primarily I was so excited to have another go. Once the results were read I’d won, the square exploded.

My memory is blurry. I think I lost consciousness from the excitement. Then the crowd started chanting Neil Young’s Rockin’ in the Free World and lifted me on to their arms. A former champion – also known as Nordic Thunder – a former champion and one of my best pals, was hugging me. I wept. I was the inaugural from Finland air guitar international titleholder in two and a half decades. The prior titleholder, the earlier victor, was in attendance as well. He gave me the biggest hug and said it was “about damn time”.

The air guitar community is like a family. Our motto is “Make air, not war”. It may seem humorous, but it’s a true way of life. Participants come from many countries, and each person is helpful and motivating. As you prepare to compete, every competitor shows support. Then for 60 seconds you’re free to be yourself, silly, the ultimate music icon in the world.

I’m also a percussionist and guitarist in a band with my brother called the group title, named after the sports figure, as we’re fans of Britpop and new wave. I’ve been serving drinks for a couple of years, and I create short films and song visuals. The victory hasn’t altered my routine significantly but I’ve been doing a lot of press, and I wish it leads to more innovative opportunities. Oulu will be a European capital of culture the coming year, so there are great prospects.

Currently, I’m just thankful: for the community, for the chance to perform, and for that little kid who picked up a newspaper and thought, “That's for me.”