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At the age of 10, I read about a feature in my hometown newspaper about the Air Guitar World Championships, held annually every year in my native city of Oulu, Finland. My family had volunteered at the inaugural contest back in 1996 – my mother gave out flyers, my dad sorted the music. Since then, country-level contests have been organized in many nations, with the champions converging in Oulu each August.

Back then, I requested permission if I could enter. At first they were hesitant; the competition was in a bar, and there would be many grown-ups. They thought it might be an daunting atmosphere, but I was set on it.

As a kid, I was always performing air guitar, pretending to play to the iconic rock tunes with my invisible instrument. My parents were lovers of music – my dad loved Springsteen and U2. the band AC/DC was the initial group I discovered on my own. Angus Young, the lead guitarist, was my hero.

When I stepped on stage, I did my routine to AC/DC’s the song Whole Lotta Rosie. The crowd started shouting “Angus”, reminiscent of the album track, and it struck me: so this is to be a music icon. I reached the championship, playing to a large audience in the public plaza, and I was addicted. I was dubbed “Little Angus” that day.

Later I paused. I was a adjudicator one year, and opened for the show another time, but I didn't participate. I returned at 18, tried a few different stage names, but fans continued using “Little Angus” so I accepted it fully and choose “The Angus” as my performance alias. I’ve made it to the final every year since 2022, and in 2023 I placed second, so I was determined to claim victory this year.

The worldwide group is like a support system. The saying we live by is ‘Make air, not war’. Though it appears humorous, but it’s a real philosophy.

The contest is high-energy yet fun. Participants have 60 seconds to put their all – dynamic presence, flawless imitation, stage magnetism – on an nonexistent axe. The panel score you on a scale from 4.0 to 6.0. If scores are equal, there’s an “showdown” between the final two contestants: a tune begins and you freestyle.

Preparation is everything. I selected an a metal group song for my routine. I had it on repeat for weeks. I practiced flexibility, trying to get my legs flexible enough to leap, my digits fast enough to copy riffs and my upper body ready for those gestures and hops. Once competition day dawned, I could sense the music in my being.

When the show concluded, the results were tallied, and I had matched with the winner from Japan, a competitor known as Sudo-chan – it was time for an air-off. We faced off to Sweet Child o’ Mine by the rock group. As the music started, I felt at ease because it was familiar to me, and above all I was so thrilled to have another go. Once the results were read I’d won, the square went wild.

It's all a bit fuzzy. I think I lost consciousness from surprise. Then the crowd started performing the classic tune Rockin’ in the Free World and raised me up on to their shoulders. Justin Howard – also known as his performer title – a past winner and one of my dear companions, was holding me. I wept. I was the first Finnish air guitar international titleholder in two and a half decades. The prior titleholder, Markus “Black Raven” Vainionpää, was there, too. He bestowed upon me the warmest embrace and said it was “finally happening”.

The air guitar community is like a family. The phrase we live by is “Create music, not conflict”. Though it appears comical, but it’s a real philosophy. People come from globally, and each person is supportive and encouraging. Before you go on stage, all participants shows support. Then for 60 seconds you’re allowed to be uninhibited, silly, the top performer in the world.

Besides that, I'm a drummer and string player in a musical act with my sibling called the band name, inspired by Gareth Southgate, as we’re inspired by British music genres. I’ve been serving drinks for a short time, and I produce mini movies and song visuals. Winning hasn’t altered my routine too much but I’ve been doing a lot of press, and I hope it brings more artistic projects. My hometown will be a European capital of culture soon, so there are exciting things ahead.

At present, I’m just thankful: for the community, for the opportunity to play, and for that young child who picked up a newspaper and thought, “I'd love to try that.”