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Back when I was 10, I came across a feature in my hometown newspaper about the Global Air Guitar Contest, held annually every year in my native city of Oulu, Finland. My family had participated at the pioneering contest starting from 1996 – my mum distributed flyers, dad organized the music. Since then, domestic competitions have been held in many nations, with the titleholders gathering in Oulu annually.

At the time, I asked my parents if I could enter. They weren't sure at first; the competition was in a bar, and there would be an older crowd. They thought it might be an overwhelming atmosphere, but I was determined.

In my youth, I was always miming air guitar, pretending to play to the most popular rock tunes with my imaginary instrument. My family were enthusiasts – dad loved Springsteen and the Irish rock band. the Australian rockers was the initial group I discovered on my own. the guitarist, the lead guitarist, was my idol.

As I took the stage, I performed my act to the band's Whole Lotta Rosie. The audience started shouting “Angus”, reminiscent of the album track, and it hit me: this must be to be a rock star. I advanced to the last round, performing to crowds in Oulu’s market square, and I was hooked. I earned the moniker “Little Angus” that day.

Then I took a break. I was a referee one year, and kicked off the show another time, 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 accepted it fully and choose “The Angus” as my stage name. I’ve made it to the final each competition since then, and in 2023 I was the runner-up, so I was set to claim victory this year.

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

The contest is competitive but uplifting. Participants have a short window to give everything – dynamic presence, precise mimicry, stage magnetism – on an invisible guitar. Judges rate you on a point range from a specific numeric range. If scores are equal, there’s an “air-off” between the final two contestants: a track is selected and you improvise.

Training is crucial. I selected an Avenged Sevenfold song for my routine. I listened to it on a loop for multiple weeks. I practiced flexibility, trying to get my limbs flexible enough to leap, my hands quick enough to copy riffs and my back set for those moves and leaps. By the time the big day dawned, I could feel the song in my bones.

When the show concluded, the scores came in, and I had matched with the Japanese champion, the Japanese titleholder – it was moment for an tiebreaker. We went head-to-head to that classic rock anthem by the rock group. As the music started, I felt at ease because it was a tune I recognized, and above all I was so thrilled to perform one more time. When they announced I’d triumphed, the area exploded.

It's all a bit fuzzy. I think I blacked out from shock. Then everyone started performing Neil Young’s that well-known track and lifted me on to their shoulders. Justin Howard – also known as Nordic Thunder – a previous titleholder and one of my dear companions, was hugging me. I wept. I was the inaugural from Finland air guitar world champion in a quarter-century. The prior titleholder, the earlier victor, was there, too. He gave me the most heartfelt squeeze and said it was “finally happening”.

This worldwide group is like a close-knit group. The phrase we live by is “Focus on fun, not fighting”. It may seem humorous, but it’s a genuine belief. Participants come from many countries, and each person is helpful and motivating. As you prepare to compete, every competitor offers an embrace. Then for one minute you’re free to be uninhibited, silly, the biggest rock star in the world.

I’m also a beat keeper and string player in a band with my family member called the Southgates, named after the sports figure, as we’re inspired by British music genres. I’ve been working in bars for a short time, and I produce independent videos and performance clips. The title hasn’t changed my day-to-day life drastically but I’ve been doing a many interviews, and I hope it brings more innovative opportunities. The city will be a European capital of culture next year, so there are exciting things ahead.

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