🔗 Share this article

When I was just 10, I discovered a article in my local paper about the Air Guitar World Championships, which take place every year in my native city of Oulu, Finland. My family had helped out at the very first contest back in 1996 – my mother distributed flyers, my father sorted the music. Ever since, country-level contests 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. They weren't sure at first; the competition was in a bar, and there would be an older crowd. They felt it might be an intimidating atmosphere, but I was set on it.

In my youth, I was always “playing” air guitar, miming along to the most popular rock tunes with my imaginary instrument. Mom and Dad were lovers of music – my dad loved Bruce Springsteen and the Irish rock band. the band AC/DC was the initial group I discovered on my own. the lead guitarist, the guitar hero, was my idol.

As I took the stage, I played my set to AC/DC’s the song Whole Lotta Rosie. The crowd started shouting “Angus”, reminiscent of the concert version, and it struck me: so this is to be a guitar hero. I advanced to the last round, playing to hundreds of people in the town square, and I was captivated. I got the nickname “Little Angus” that day.

After that I stopped. I was a referee one year, and kicked off the show another time, but I didn't participate. I went back at 18, tested out several stage names, but people kept calling me “Little Angus” so I decided to own it and choose “The Angus” as my performance alias. I’ve reached the finals every year since 2022, and in 2023 I placed second, so I was determined to claim victory this year.

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

The competition itself is intense but joyful. Competitors have 60 seconds to deliver maximum effort – high-powered performance, perfect mime, rock star charisma – on an nonexistent axe. Judges rate you on a scale from 4.0 to 6.0. If scores are equal, there’s an “tiebreaker” between the final two contestants: a song plays and you freestyle.

Preparation is everything. I selected an Avenged Sevenfold song for my routine. I played it repeatedly for a long time. I stretched constantly, trying to get my lower body prepared enough to bound, my hands nimble enough to copy riffs and my back set for those moves and leaps. Once the big day came, I could sense the music in my bones.

When the show concluded, the points were announced, and I had drawn with the winner from Japan, the Japanese titleholder – it was occasion for an final showdown. We faced off to that classic rock anthem by the rock group. As the music started, I felt at ease because it was familiar to me, and primarily I was so excited to play again. As they declared I’d triumphed, the square exploded.

It's all a bit fuzzy. I think I blacked out from surprise. Then all present started chanting the song the anthem Rockin' in the Free World and raised me up on to their arms. Justin Howard – alias Nordic Thunder – a previous titleholder and one of my dear companions, was holding me. I cried. I was the inaugural from Finland air guitar global winner in a quarter-century. The prior titleholder, the earlier victor, was in attendance as well. He offered me the biggest hug and said it was “finally happening”.

This worldwide group is like a support system. Our motto is “Focus on fun, not fighting”. It sounds silly, but it’s a genuine belief. People come from many countries, and all involved is helpful and motivating. Prior to performing, each contestant shows support. Then for one minute you’re free to be yourself, humorous, the top performer in the world.

Besides that, I'm a beat keeper and string player in a group with my brother called the Southgates, referencing Gareth Southgate, as we’re influenced by UK rock and post-punk. I’ve been working in bars for a short time, and I produce short films and performance clips. Winning hasn’t affected my daily activities drastically but I’ve been doing a lot of press, and I aspire it brings more creative work. My hometown will be a European capital of culture next year, so there are great prospects.

For now, I’m just grateful: for the group, for the ability to compete, and for that budding enthusiast who picked up a newspaper and thought, “I'd love to try that.”