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Back when I was 10, I came across a feature in my community gazette about the Air Guitar World Championships, held annually every year in my birthplace of Oulu, Finland. My parents had participated at the inaugural contest back in 1996 – mom handed out flyers, dad sorted the music. Ever since, country-level contests have been held in many nations, with the champions converging in Oulu annually.

At the time, I asked my parents if I could compete. At first they were hesitant; the show was in a bar, and there would be an older crowd. They thought it might be an intimidating atmosphere, but I was set on it.

In my youth, I was always miming air guitar, miming along to the most popular rock tunes with my imaginary instrument. Mom and Dad were enthusiasts – dad loved Bruce Springsteen and U2. the band AC/DC was the original act I found independently. Angus Young, the frontman guitarist, was my inspiration.

When I stepped on stage, I performed my act to AC/DC’s the song Whole Lotta Rosie. The spectators started yelling “Angus”, similar to the album track, and it dawned on me: this is what it feels like to be a guitar hero. I made it to the finals, performing to a large audience in Oulu’s market square, and I was hooked. I got the nickname “Little Angus” that day.

Later I paused. I was a adjudicator one year, and started the show another time, but I didn't participate. I came back at 18, tested out several stage names, but people kept calling me “Little Angus” so I embraced it and adopt “The Angus” as my performance alias. I’ve qualified for the last round annually from 2022 onward, and in 2023 I placed second, so I was determined to claim victory this year.

The worldwide group is like a family. Our motto is ‘Play air guitar, avoid battles’. It may seem funny, but it’s a real philosophy.

The contest is competitive but uplifting. Contestants have one minute to put their all – explosive energy, perfect mime, performance charm – on an invisible guitar. Judges score you on a point range from a specific numeric range. In the case of a tie, there’s an “showdown” between the final two contestants: a song plays and you create on the spot.

Preparation is everything. I chose an the band Avenged Sevenfold song for my performance. I played it repeatedly for weeks. I did regular stretches, trying to get my lower body flexible enough to bound, my hands quick enough to copy riffs and my back prepared for those moves and leaps. When competition day came, I could feel the song in my soul.

When the show concluded, the results were tallied, and I had matched with the winner from Japan, the Japanese titleholder – it was moment for an tiebreaker. We faced off to Sweet Child o’ Mine by Guns N’ Roses. As the music started, I felt comforted because it was a tune I recognized, and above all I was so eager to play again. As they declared I’d triumphed, the square erupted.

My memory is blurry. I think I lost consciousness from the excitement. Then everyone started chanting Neil Young’s that well-known track and raised me up on to their arms. Justin Howard – AKA his stage name – a previous titleholder and one of my dear companions, was embracing me. I cried. I was the first Finnish air guitar international titleholder in two and a half decades. The previous Finnish champion, Markus “Black Raven” Vainionpää, was in attendance as well. He offered me the biggest hug and said it was “about damn time”.

This worldwide group is like a support system. The phrase we live by is “Create music, not conflict”. Though it appears comical, but it’s a real philosophy. People come from all over the world, and everyone is helpful and motivating. Before you go on stage, all participants shows support. Then for one minute you’re free to be uninhibited, silly, the biggest rock star in the world.

Additionally, I am a beat keeper and guitarist in a musical act with my sibling called the Southgates, referencing Gareth Southgate, as we’re fans of British music genres. I’ve been working in bars for a few years now, and I create independent videos and performance clips. The title hasn’t affected my daily activities too much but I’ve been doing a lot of press, and I aspire it results in more creative work. My hometown will be a cultural hub soon, so there are great prospects.

Currently, I’m just grateful: for the network, for the ability to compete, and for that budding enthusiast who read an article and thought, “I want to do that.”