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Back when I was 10, I read about a story in my community gazette about the Air Guitar World Championships, held annually every year in my native city of Oulu, Finland. My family had helped out at the pioneering contest back in 1996 – mom distributed flyers, dad sorted the music. From that point, country-level contests have been staged in many nations, with the winners converging in Oulu annually.

Initially, I asked my parents if I could enter. They weren't sure at first; the competition was in a bar, and there would be a lot of adults. They thought it might be an intimidating atmosphere, but I was determined.

In my youth, I was always performing air guitar, acting out to the most popular rock tunes with my invisible instrument. My family were lovers of music – dad loved The Boss and U2. the band AC/DC was the first band I stumbled upon myself. the lead guitarist, the lead guitarist, was my hero.

Upon entering the spotlight, I performed my act to AC/DC’s that classic track. The audience started chanting “Angus”, similar to the album track, and it struck me: so this is to be a music icon. I reached the championship, competing to hundreds of people in the public plaza, and I was hooked. I got the nickname “Little Angus” that day.

Then I took a break. I was a referee one year, and opened for the show another time, but I didn’t compete. I came back at 18, tested out several stage names, but people kept calling me “Little Angus” so I decided to own it and make “The Angus” as my artist name. I’ve made it to the final each competition since then, and in 2023 I came second, so I was set to take the title this year.

The worldwide group is like a close-knit group. Our motto is ‘Create music, not conflict’. It may seem funny, but it’s a real philosophy.

The event is high-energy yet fun. Contestants have 60 seconds to deliver maximum effort – explosive energy, precise mimicry, rock star charisma – on an imaginary instrument. Adjudicators rate you on a grading system from 4.0 to 6.0. In the case of a tie, there’s an “air-off” between the last two competitors: a song plays and you improvise.

Getting ready is key. I picked an a metal group song for my performance. I had it on repeat for weeks. I practiced flexibility, trying to get my limbs prepared enough to leap, my digits fast enough to imitate guitar parts and my back set for those bends and jumps. Once the event came, I could sense the music in my bones.

After everyone had performed, the scores came in, and I had tied with the Japanese champion, a competitor known as Sudo-chan – it was moment for an final showdown. We went head-to-head to the Guns N’ Roses hit by Guns N’ Roses. As the music started, I felt comforted because it was a tune I recognized, and more than anything I was so thrilled to play again. When they announced I’d triumphed, the area went wild.

It's all a bit fuzzy. I think I blacked out from shock. Then the crowd started performing the song that well-known track and lifted me on to their shoulders. Justin Howard – AKA his stage name – a former champion and one of my closest friends, was embracing me. I wept. I was the inaugural from Finland air guitar international titleholder in two and a half decades. The previous Finnish champion, Markus “Black Raven” Vainionpää, was in attendance as well. He bestowed upon 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 true way of life. People come from all over the world, and each person is positive and uplifting. As you prepare to compete, each contestant shows support. Then for one minute you’re free to be yourself, silly, the ultimate music icon in the world.

I’m also a beat keeper and musician in a group with my family member called the Southgates, referencing the sports figure, as we’re influenced by British music genres. I’ve been serving drinks for a couple of years, and I produce independent videos and performance clips. Winning hasn’t changed my day-to-day life drastically but I’ve been doing a lot of press, and I hope it brings more innovative opportunities. The city will be a European capital of culture the coming year, so there are promising opportunities.

For now, I’m just thankful: for the community, for the opportunity to play, and for that little kid who found a story and thought, “I want to do that.”