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At the age of 10, I read about a feature in my local paper about the Global Air Guitar Contest, held annually every year in my hometown of Oulu, Finland. Mom and Dad had participated at the very first contest since 1996 – mom handed out flyers, my dad organized the music. From that point, domestic competitions have been held all across the world, with the winners gathering in Oulu each August.

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

As a kid, I was always performing air guitar, miming along to the biggest rock tunes with my make-believe instrument. Mom and Dad were lovers of music – my dad loved The Boss and U2. the band AC/DC was the original act I found independently. Angus Young, the lead guitarist, was my idol.

When I stepped on stage, I played my set to the band's that classic track. The spectators started chanting “Angus”, reminiscent of the live recording, and it struck me: so this is to be a guitar hero. I reached the championship, competing to a large audience in the town square, and I was hooked. I was dubbed “Little Angus” that day.

After that I stopped. I was a adjudicator one year, and opened for the show another time, but I didn’t compete. I returned at 18, tested out several stage names, but fans continued using “Little Angus” so I decided to own it and adopt “The Angus” as my performance alias. I’ve reached the finals every year since 2022, and in 2023 I was the runner-up, so I was determined to claim victory this year.

The worldwide group is like a family. The saying we live by is ‘Play air guitar, avoid battles’. It may seem funny, but it’s a genuine belief.

The contest is intense but joyful. Contestants have 60 seconds to put their all – dynamic presence, flawless imitation, stage magnetism – on an invisible guitar. The panel rate you on a point range 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 freestyle.

Training is crucial. I chose an the band Avenged Sevenfold song for my performance. I listened to it on a loop for a long time. I stretched constantly, trying to get my limbs loose enough to bound, my hands quick enough to mimic solos and my upper body ready for those bends and jumps. By the time the big day came, I could sense the music in my being.

Once all acts were done, the results were tallied, and I had matched with the Japanese champion, the Japanese titleholder – it was moment for an tiebreaker. We went head-to-head to the Guns N’ Roses hit by the rock group. Once the track began, I felt at ease because it was familiar to me, and above all I was so eager to perform one more time. As they declared I’d won, the square exploded.

It's all a bit fuzzy. I think I lost consciousness from shock. Then all present started chanting Neil Young’s Rockin’ in the Free World and lifted me on to their shoulders. A former champion – alias his stage name – a previous titleholder and one of my best pals, was hugging me. I cried. I was the first Finnish air guitar global winner in two and a half decades. The previous Finnish champion, Markus “Black Raven” Vainionpää, was in attendance as well. He gave me the warmest embrace and said it was “finally happening”.

This worldwide group is like a support system. Our motto is “Focus on fun, not fighting”. It may seem humorous, but it’s a genuine belief. Competitors come from many countries, and all involved is positive and uplifting. Before you go on stage, each contestant shows support. Then for one minute you’re allowed to be yourself, humorous, the ultimate music icon in the world.

Additionally, I am a percussionist and musician in a group with my sibling called the Southgates, referencing the football manager, as we’re influenced by British music genres. I’ve been bartending for a couple of years, and I produce short films and music videos. Winning hasn’t affected my daily activities too much but I’ve been doing a many interviews, and I hope it leads to more creative work. My hometown will be a cultural hub next year, so there are exciting things ahead.

For now, I’m just grateful: for the network, for the ability to compete, and for that young child who picked up a newspaper and thought, “I'd love to try that.”