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When I was just 10, I came across a story in my local paper about the Air Guitar World Championships, that happens every year in my hometown of Oulu, Finland. Mom and Dad had participated at the inaugural contest since 1996 – my mother gave out flyers, dad managed the music. From that point, national championships have been organized in many nations, with the winners gathering in Oulu each August.

At the time, I inquired with my family if I could compete. Initially they had doubts; the competition was in a bar, and there would be an older crowd. They believed it might be an daunting atmosphere, but I was set on it.

In my youth, I was always “playing” air guitar, pretending to play to the iconic rock tunes with my make-believe instrument. My parents were enthusiasts – my dad loved Bruce Springsteen and the Irish rock band. the Australian rockers was the original act I discovered on my own. Angus Young, the frontman guitarist, was my idol.

As I took the stage, I played my set to AC/DC’s that classic track. The crowd started chanting “Angus”, just like the concert version, and it struck me: so this is to be a music icon. I reached the championship, performing to hundreds of people in Oulu’s market square, 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 on another occasion, but I didn’t compete. I returned at 18, tested out several stage names, but people kept calling me “Little Angus” so I embraced it and choose “The Angus” as my stage name. I’ve made it to the final each competition since then, and in 2023 I came second, so I was resolved to claim victory this year.

Our global network is like a support system. The saying we live by is ‘Create music, not conflict’. It sounds silly, but it’s a true ethos.

The contest is competitive but uplifting. Competitors have a short window to put their all – high-powered performance, perfect mime, stage magnetism – on an nonexistent axe. Judges evaluate you on a grading system from a specific numeric range. If scores are equal, there’s an “air-off” between the remaining participants: a tune begins and you improvise.

Training is crucial. I selected an Avenged Sevenfold song for my act. I played it repeatedly for multiple weeks. I practiced flexibility, trying to get my lower body loose enough to bound, my digits nimble enough to copy riffs and my spine prepared for those moves and leaps. When competition day arrived, I could feel the song in my soul.

Once all acts were done, the points were announced, and I had matched with the winner from Japan, Yuta “Sudo-chan” Sudo – it was occasion for an air-off. We competed directly to the Guns N’ Roses hit by the iconic band. Once the track began, I felt relieved because it was a tune I recognized, and above all I was so thrilled to perform one more time. When they announced I’d emerged victorious, the venue exploded.

It's all a bit fuzzy. I think I lost consciousness from the excitement. Then everyone started performing the song that well-known track and lifted me on to their backs. One of the greats – alias his stage name – a former champion and one of my best pals, was hugging me. I wept. I was the first Finnish air guitar international titleholder in 25 years. The previous Finnish champion, Markus “Black Raven” Vainionpää, was in attendance as well. He gave me the most heartfelt squeeze and said it was “about damn time”.

Our global network is like a family. Our motto is “Create music, not conflict”. Though it appears comical, but it’s a genuine belief. Participants come from globally, and each person is supportive and encouraging. As you prepare to compete, all participants shows support. Then for one minute you’re free to be yourself, silly, the biggest rock star in the world.

I’m also a drummer and musician in a group with my brother called the group title, inspired by Gareth Southgate, as we’re influenced by UK rock and post-punk. I’ve been working in bars for a few years now, and I produce short films and music videos. The title hasn’t changed my day-to-day life significantly but I’ve been doing a lot of press, and I wish it results in more artistic projects. Oulu will be a European capital of culture next year, so there are promising opportunities.

For now, I’m just thankful: for the community, for the opportunity to play, and for that young child who found a story and thought, “That's for me.”