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When I was just 10, I came across a feature in my community gazette about the World Air Guitar Competition, that happens every year in my hometown of Oulu, Finland. My family had participated at the very first contest back in 1996 – mom handed out flyers, my dad sorted the music. Since then, country-level contests have been organized all across the world, with the winners gathering in Oulu every summer.

At the time, I inquired with my family if I could compete. They weren't sure at first; the competition was in a bar, and there would be an older crowd. They felt it might be an daunting atmosphere, but I was set on it.

In my youth, I was always miming air guitar, miming along to the biggest rock tunes with my imaginary instrument. My family were music fans – my father loved The Boss and U2. AC/DC was the first band I discovered on my own. Angus Young, the lead guitarist, was my idol.

Upon entering the spotlight, I performed my act to the band's that classic track. The spectators started chanting “Angus”, just like the album track, and it hit me: this must be to be a guitar hero. I advanced to the last round, playing to hundreds of people in the public plaza, and I was addicted. I earned the moniker “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 participate. I returned at 18, experimented with various stage names, but fans continued using “Little Angus” so I decided to own it and adopt “The Angus” as my artist name. I’ve reached the finals every year since 2022, and in 2023 I came second, so I was set to take the title this year.

The air guitar community is like a family. The saying we live by is ‘Make air, not war’. It may seem funny, but it’s a real philosophy.

The event is competitive but uplifting. Competitors have 60 seconds to deliver maximum effort – dynamic presence, precise mimicry, stage magnetism – on an invisible guitar. Adjudicators score you on a grading system from four to six. If scores are equal, there’s an “air-off” between the remaining participants: a tune begins and you freestyle.

Training is crucial. I selected an a metal group song for my act. I listened to it on a loop for a long time. I did regular stretches, trying to get my lower body flexible enough to bound, my digits nimble enough to imitate guitar parts and my back set for those gestures and hops. By the time the big day dawned, I could feel the song in my bones.

After everyone had performed, the results were tallied, and I had drawn with the winner from Japan, a competitor known as Sudo-chan – it was occasion for an air-off. We faced off to that classic rock anthem by the iconic band. When I heard the song, I felt comforted because it was familiar to me, and more than anything I was so thrilled to play again. Once the results were read I’d triumphed, the square exploded.

My memory is blurry. I think I lost consciousness from surprise. Then the crowd started singing the song Rockin’ in the Free World and lifted me on to their shoulders. Justin Howard – alias his stage name – a past winner and one of my best pals, was hugging me. I cried. I was the inaugural from Finland air guitar international titleholder in 25 years. The previous Finnish champion, the earlier victor, was in attendance as well. He bestowed upon me the warmest embrace and said it was “long overdue”.

This worldwide group is like a close-knit group. Our guiding saying is “Make air, not war”. It sounds silly, but it’s a real philosophy. Participants come from globally, and everyone is helpful and motivating. As you prepare to compete, every competitor offers an embrace. Then for a brief period you’re free to be uninhibited, playful, the top performer in the world.

Additionally, I am a drummer and guitarist in a musical act with my family member called the band name, inspired by Gareth Southgate, as we’re fans of Britpop and new wave. I’ve been serving drinks for a short time, and I create mini movies and performance clips. Winning hasn’t altered my routine drastically but I’ve been doing a extensive media, and I hope it brings more innovative opportunities. Oulu will be a cultural hub next year, so there are great prospects.

Currently, I’m just appreciative: for the community, for the ability to compete, and for that budding enthusiast who found a story and thought, “That's for me.”