🔗 Share this article

When I was just 10, I read about a story in my local paper about the World Air Guitar Competition, which take place every year in my native city of Oulu, Finland. My parents had participated at the pioneering contest since 1996 – my mother gave out flyers, dad managed the music. Since then, country-level contests have been held all across the world, with the champions assembling in Oulu each August.

Back then, I inquired with my family if I could compete. 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 overwhelming atmosphere, but I was set on it.

During childhood, I was always performing air guitar, miming along to the iconic rock tunes with my imaginary instrument. My parents were music fans – my father loved Bruce Springsteen and U2. the band AC/DC was the initial group I stumbled upon myself. Angus Young, the lead guitarist, was my idol.

When I stepped on stage, I did my routine to AC/DC’s Whole Lotta Rosie. The audience started chanting “Angus”, just like the live recording, and it struck me: so this is to be a guitar hero. I advanced to the last round, playing to hundreds of people in Oulu’s market square, and I was addicted. I got the nickname “Little Angus” that day.

Later I paused. I was a adjudicator one year, and kicked off the show another time, but I stayed out of the contest. I went back at 18, experimented with various stage names, but fans continued using “Little Angus” so I embraced it and adopt “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 take the title this year.

The worldwide group is like a support system. Our guiding principle is ‘Make air, not war’. It sounds silly, but it’s a genuine belief.

The event is high-energy yet fun. Contestants have one minute to deliver maximum effort – high-powered performance, flawless imitation, stage magnetism – on an imaginary instrument. Adjudicators evaluate you on a scale from a specific numeric range. If scores are equal, there’s an “tiebreaker” between the last two competitors: a track is selected and you freestyle.

Preparation is everything. I picked an Avenged Sevenfold song for my act. I played it repeatedly for weeks. I stretched constantly, trying to get my limbs loose enough to bound, my fingers nimble enough to copy riffs and my spine set for those gestures and hops. When the event came, I could feel the song in my bones.

After everyone had performed, the scores came in, and I had matched with the winner from Japan, Yuta “Sudo-chan” Sudo – it was time for an tiebreaker. We competed directly to that classic rock anthem by Guns N’ Roses. As the music started, I felt at ease because it was a tune I recognized, and above all I was so excited to perform one more time. When they announced I’d triumphed, the venue went wild.

It's all a bit fuzzy. I think I blacked out from the excitement. Then the crowd started chanting Neil Young’s the anthem Rockin' in the Free World and raised me up on to their backs. One of the greats – also known as Nordic Thunder – a previous titleholder and one of my dear companions, was holding me. I cried. I was Finland’s first air guitar international titleholder in a quarter-century. The earlier winner from Finland, Markus “Black Raven” Vainionpää, was there, too. He offered me the most heartfelt squeeze and said it was “long overdue”.

Our global network is like a family. Our motto is “Create music, not conflict”. It sounds silly, but it’s a genuine belief. Competitors come from all over the world, and all involved is supportive and encouraging. As you prepare to compete, every competitor comes and hugs you. Then for a brief period you’re free to be free, silly, the biggest rock star in the world.

I’m also a beat keeper and guitarist in a band with my sibling called the group title, named after the football manager, as we’re fans of UK rock and post-punk. I’ve been serving drinks for a few years now, and I create mini movies and music videos. The victory hasn’t changed my day-to-day life drastically but I’ve been doing a many interviews, and I wish it leads to more innovative opportunities. The city will be a designated cultural center the coming year, so there are great prospects.

At present, I’m just grateful: for the network, for the opportunity to play, and for that little kid who found a story and thought, “I'd love to try that.”