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At the age of 10, I read about a article in my local paper about the World Air Guitar Competition, which take place every year in my hometown of Oulu, Finland. My parents had volunteered at the very first contest back in 1996 – my mother handed out flyers, my father sorted the music. Ever since, national championships have been staged in many nations, with the winners assembling in Oulu every summer.

At the time, I requested permission if I could participate. Initially they had doubts; the competition was in a bar, and there would be an older crowd. They thought it might be an daunting atmosphere, but I was determined.

In my youth, I was always performing air guitar, pretending to play to the iconic rock tunes with my invisible instrument. My family were enthusiasts – my father loved Springsteen and U2. the band AC/DC was the initial group I stumbled upon myself. Angus Young, the frontman guitarist, was my hero.

As I took the stage, I played my set to the band's the song Whole Lotta Rosie. The spectators started shouting “Angus”, reminiscent of the live recording, and it dawned on me: this is what it feels like to be a rock star. I advanced to the last round, playing to a large audience in the public plaza, and I was hooked. I was dubbed “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 participate. I came back at 18, tested out several stage names, but fans continued using “Little Angus” so I accepted it fully and adopt “The Angus” as my stage name. I’ve reached the finals every year since 2022, and in 2023 I was the runner-up, so I was set to win this year.

Our global network is like a close-knit group. The saying we live by is ‘Play air guitar, avoid battles’. Though it appears humorous, but it’s a real philosophy.

The competition itself is competitive but uplifting. Participants have one minute to give everything – dynamic presence, perfect mime, stage magnetism – on an nonexistent axe. Adjudicators score you on a scale from four to six. If scores are equal, there’s an “tiebreaker” between the last two competitors: a track is selected and you improvise.

Training is crucial. I chose an the band Avenged Sevenfold song for my act. I listened to it on a loop for a long time. I stretched constantly, trying to get my limbs flexible enough to leap, my hands fast enough to mimic solos and my back set for those gestures and hops. Once the big day came, I could feel the song in my soul.

After everyone had performed, the results were tallied, and I had matched with the winner from Japan, Yuta “Sudo-chan” Sudo – it was occasion for an air-off. We went head-to-head to the Guns N’ Roses hit by Guns N’ Roses. Once the track began, I felt at ease because it was familiar to me, and more than anything I was so eager to perform one more time. Once the results were read I’d emerged victorious, the venue exploded.

It's all a bit fuzzy. I think I lost consciousness from shock. Then all present started singing the classic tune that well-known track and lifted me on to their shoulders. One of the greats – alias Nordic Thunder – a previous titleholder and one of my closest friends, was hugging me. I wept. I was the inaugural from Finland air guitar global winner in 25 years. The earlier winner from Finland, Markus “Black Raven” Vainionpää, was there, too. He gave me the warmest embrace and said it was “about damn time”.

The air guitar community is like a support system. Our motto is “Focus on fun, not fighting”. It may seem humorous, but it’s a genuine belief. People come from globally, and all involved is positive and uplifting. Before you go on stage, all participants comes and hugs you. Then for one minute you’re free to be uninhibited, playful, the biggest rock star in the world.

Additionally, I am a beat keeper and string player in a band with my sibling called the Southgates, referencing Gareth Southgate, as we’re fans of British music genres. I’ve been serving drinks for a couple of years, and I produce independent videos and music videos. The title hasn’t altered my routine drastically but I’ve been doing a extensive media, and I wish it leads to more artistic projects. The city will be a cultural hub next year, so there are promising opportunities.

At present, I’m just thankful: for the network, for the chance to perform, and for that young child who read an article and thought, “I'd love to try that.”