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At the age of 10, I discovered a feature in my community gazette about the Global Air Guitar Contest, that happens every year in my native city of Oulu, Finland. My family had helped out at the inaugural contest starting from 1996 – my mother distributed flyers, my father managed the music. From that point, country-level contests have been organized all across the world, with the winners converging in Oulu every summer.

At the time, I requested permission if I could enter. Initially they had doubts; the show was in a bar, and there would be many grown-ups. They felt it might be an overwhelming atmosphere, but I was set on it.

As a kid, I was always performing air guitar, acting out to the most popular rock tunes with my invisible instrument. My parents were lovers of music – my dad loved Springsteen and the Irish rock band. the Australian rockers was the initial group I discovered on my own. Angus Young, the frontman guitarist, was my inspiration.

Upon entering the spotlight, I performed my act to the band's the song Whole Lotta Rosie. The crowd started chanting “Angus”, reminiscent of the concert version, and it struck me: this must be to be a music icon. I reached the championship, performing to hundreds of people in the town square, and I was hooked. I was dubbed “Little Angus” that day.

After that I stopped. I was a referee one year, and started the show another time, but I didn’t compete. I came back at 18, tried a few different stage names, but fans continued using “Little Angus” so I embraced it and adopt “The Angus” as my performance alias. I’ve reached the finals every year since 2022, and in 2023 I placed second, so I was determined to win this year.

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

The competition itself is intense but joyful. Participants have 60 seconds to deliver maximum effort – high-powered performance, perfect mime, performance charm – on an invisible guitar. Adjudicators score you on a grading system from 4.0 to 6.0. When it's a draw, there’s an “air-off” between the last two competitors: a tune begins and you create on the spot.

Getting ready is key. I selected an a metal group song for my routine. I played it repeatedly for multiple weeks. I stretched constantly, trying to get my legs prepared enough to leap, my digits nimble enough to copy riffs and my spine set for those bends and jumps. When the event dawned, I could feel the song in my soul.

When the show concluded, the scores came in, and I had matched with the Japanese champion, the Japanese titleholder – it was occasion for an final showdown. We went head-to-head to Sweet Child o’ Mine by Guns N’ Roses. As the music started, I felt comforted because it was one that I knew, and primarily I was so thrilled to perform one more time. Once the results were read I’d emerged victorious, the venue exploded.

The moment is hazy. I think I blacked out from the excitement. Then the crowd started chanting the song Rockin’ in the Free World and raised me up on to their backs. Justin Howard – also known as his stage name – a previous titleholder and one of my best pals, was hugging me. I shed tears. I was Finland’s first air guitar international titleholder in two and a half decades. The prior titleholder, the earlier victor, was in attendance as well. He bestowed upon me the biggest hug and said it was “finally happening”.

The air guitar community is like a family. Our motto is “Make air, not war”. Though it appears comical, but it’s a genuine belief. Participants come from all over the world, and everyone is helpful and motivating. As you prepare to compete, all participants comes and hugs you. Then for a brief period you’re allowed to be yourself, silly, the ultimate music icon in the world.

Additionally, I am a drummer and guitarist in a group with my brother called the band name, named after Gareth Southgate, as we’re inspired by UK rock and post-punk. I’ve been working in bars for a few years now, and I create short films and song visuals. The victory hasn’t affected my daily activities too much but I’ve been doing a lot of press, and I aspire it leads to more creative work. Oulu will be a designated cultural center soon, so there are promising opportunities.

At present, I’m just appreciative: for the network, for the ability to compete, and for that little kid who found a story and thought, “That's for me.”