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When I was just 10, I discovered a feature in my community gazette about the Global Air Guitar Contest, which take place every year in my native city of Oulu, Finland. My parents had helped out at the very first contest since 1996 – my mother distributed flyers, my father sorted the music. From that point, national championships have been staged in many nations, with the titleholders converging in Oulu annually.

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

As a kid, I was always performing air guitar, miming along to the biggest rock tunes with my invisible instrument. My family were music fans – dad loved The Boss and the Irish rock band. AC/DC was the original act I discovered on my own. the guitarist, the lead guitarist, was my inspiration.

Upon entering the spotlight, I played my set to AC/DC’s Whole Lotta Rosie. The audience started chanting “Angus”, just like the album track, and it struck me: this must be to be a guitar hero. I advanced to the last round, playing to a large audience in the public plaza, and I was captivated. I was dubbed “Little Angus” that day.

Later I paused. I was a judge one year, and started the show once more, but I stayed out of the contest. I came back at 18, experimented with various stage names, but fans continued using “Little Angus” so I embraced it and make “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 resolved to take the title this year.

Our global network is like a family. Our motto is ‘Make air, not war’. It sounds silly, but it’s a genuine belief.

The contest is intense but joyful. Contestants have 60 seconds to deliver maximum effort – explosive energy, perfect mime, rock star charisma – on an imaginary instrument. The panel evaluate you on a grading system from four to six. When it's a draw, there’s an “tiebreaker” between the final two contestants: a song plays and you create on the spot.

Getting ready is key. I picked an a metal group song for my routine. I listened to it on a loop for a long time. I practiced flexibility, trying to get my lower body prepared enough to bound, my fingers quick enough to copy riffs and my spine prepared for those moves and leaps. Once the event arrived, I could feel the song in my being.

Once all acts were done, the points were announced, and I had matched with the Japanese champion, a competitor known as Sudo-chan – it was time for an air-off. We faced off to Sweet Child o’ Mine by Guns N’ Roses. When I heard the song, I felt relieved because it was familiar to me, and above all I was so excited to have another go. As they declared I’d emerged victorious, the square erupted.

The moment is hazy. I think I blacked out from the excitement. Then all present started performing the song the anthem Rockin' in the Free World and raised me up on to their backs. A former champion – alias Nordic Thunder – a previous titleholder and one of my best pals, was embracing me. I shed tears. I was Finland’s first air guitar international titleholder in a quarter-century. The earlier winner from Finland, Markus “Black Raven” Vainionpää, was there, too. He bestowed upon me the biggest hug and said it was “about damn time”.

This worldwide group is like a close-knit group. Our guiding saying is “Focus on fun, not fighting”. It sounds silly, but it’s a genuine belief. Competitors come from all over the world, and everyone is helpful and motivating. As you prepare to compete, every competitor comes and hugs you. Then for 60 seconds you’re allowed to be free, humorous, the top performer in the world.

Additionally, I am a percussionist and guitarist in a musical act with my brother called the band name, named after the sports figure, as we’re inspired by Britpop and new wave. I’ve been serving drinks for a few years now, and I direct short films and performance clips. The victory hasn’t affected my daily activities drastically but I’ve been doing a lot of press, and I wish it results in more artistic projects. Oulu will be a designated cultural center soon, so there are exciting things ahead.

At present, I’m just grateful: for the network, for the chance to perform, and for that young child who found a story and thought, “I want to do that.”