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When I was just 10, I came across a article in my community gazette about the Global Air Guitar Contest, which take place every year in my birthplace of Oulu, Finland. Mom and Dad had helped out at the very first contest back in 1996 – my mum distributed flyers, my father organized the music. From that point, domestic competitions have been organized all across the world, with the titleholders converging in Oulu each August.

Initially, I inquired with my family if I could enter. Initially they had doubts; the competition was in a bar, and there would be many grown-ups. They felt it might be an daunting atmosphere, but I was set on it.

As a kid, I was always performing air guitar, acting out to the iconic rock tunes with my make-believe instrument. My parents were lovers of music – my dad loved Bruce Springsteen and U2. AC/DC was the initial group I found independently. the guitarist, the lead guitarist, was my hero.

When I stepped on stage, I performed my act to AC/DC’s Whole Lotta Rosie. The crowd started chanting “Angus”, just like the album track, and it struck me: so this is to be a music icon. I advanced to the last round, competing to hundreds of people in the town square, and I was hooked. I earned the moniker “Little Angus” that day.

Then I took a break. I was a referee one year, and kicked off the show another time, but I didn’t compete. I returned at 18, tested out several stage names, but everyone still referred to me as “Little Angus” so I decided to own it and choose “The Angus” as my artist name. I’ve reached the finals annually from 2022 onward, and in 2023 I placed second, so I was resolved to claim victory this year.

The worldwide group is like a family. Our guiding principle is ‘Play air guitar, avoid battles’. It may seem funny, but it’s a true ethos.

The contest is competitive but uplifting. Participants have one minute to give everything – high-powered performance, perfect mime, stage magnetism – on an invisible guitar. Adjudicators evaluate you on a scale from four to six. If scores are equal, there’s an “tiebreaker” between the final two contestants: a tune begins and you freestyle.

Training is crucial. I selected an the band Avenged Sevenfold song for my act. I had it on repeat for weeks. I practiced flexibility, trying to get my lower body flexible enough to jump, my hands quick enough to imitate guitar parts and my back ready for those bends and jumps. By the time the event dawned, I could internalize the track in my being.

Once all acts were done, the points were announced, and I had tied with the Japanese champion, Yuta “Sudo-chan” Sudo – it was occasion for an tiebreaker. We faced off to the Guns N’ Roses hit by the iconic band. Once the track began, I felt at ease because it was familiar to me, and more than anything I was so excited to play again. Once the results were read I’d emerged victorious, the area exploded.

The moment is hazy. I think I blacked out from shock. Then all present started chanting the classic tune the anthem Rockin' in the Free World and lifted me on to their arms. Justin Howard – AKA Nordic Thunder – a previous titleholder and one of my best pals, was hugging me. I shed tears. I was Finland’s first air guitar world champion in two and a half decades. The previous Finnish champion, the earlier victor, was also present. He gave me the warmest embrace and said it was “finally happening”.

This worldwide group is like a support system. The phrase we live by is “Focus on fun, not fighting”. It may seem humorous, but it’s a real philosophy. Competitors come from globally, and all involved is supportive and encouraging. Before you go on stage, all participants offers an embrace. Then for one minute you’re free to be free, humorous, the ultimate music icon in the world.

I’m also a beat keeper and string player in a group with my sibling called the group title, inspired by the football manager, as we’re influenced by UK rock and post-punk. I’ve been bartending for a few years now, and I create short films and music videos. Winning hasn’t changed my day-to-day life too much but I’ve been doing a many interviews, and I aspire it results in more artistic projects. The city will be a designated cultural center next year, so there are promising opportunities.

Currently, I’m just thankful: for the group, for the chance to perform, and for that little kid who picked up a newspaper and thought, “That's for me.”