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At the age of 10, I came across a feature in my community gazette about the Global Air Guitar Contest, held annually every year in my birthplace of Oulu, Finland. My parents had participated at the inaugural contest starting from 1996 – my mum gave out flyers, dad organized the music. Since then, country-level contests have been organized all across the world, with the winners converging in Oulu annually.

At the time, I asked my parents if I could compete. They weren't sure at first; the competition was in a bar, and there would be an older crowd. They thought it might be an intimidating atmosphere, but I was resolved.

As a kid, I was always miming air guitar, pretending to play to the iconic rock tunes with my invisible instrument. My family were music fans – my dad loved Springsteen and the Irish rock band. the band AC/DC was the first band I found independently. the guitarist, the guitar hero, was my hero.

Upon entering the spotlight, I did my routine to AC/DC’s that classic track. The spectators started shouting “Angus”, similar to the concert version, and it struck me: so this is to be a rock star. I made it to the finals, playing to crowds in the public plaza, and I was hooked. I was dubbed “Little Angus” that day.

After that I stopped. I was a adjudicator one year, and opened for the show once more, but I didn’t compete. I came back at 18, tried a few different stage names, but people kept calling me “Little Angus” so I accepted it fully and make “The Angus” as my artist name. I’ve made it to the final every year since 2022, and in 2023 I was the runner-up, so I was resolved to win this year.

Our global network is like a support system. The saying we live by is ‘Create music, not conflict’. It may seem funny, but it’s a real philosophy.

The competition itself is intense but joyful. Competitors have 60 seconds to deliver maximum effort – explosive energy, flawless imitation, stage magnetism – on an invisible guitar. The panel score you on a scale from a specific numeric range. When it's a draw, there’s an “air-off” between the last two competitors: a track is selected and you freestyle.

Training is crucial. I selected an a metal group 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 fingers quick enough to copy riffs and my spine prepared for those bends and jumps. By the time the big day came, I could feel the song in my bones.

After everyone had performed, the points were announced, and I had tied with the Japanese champion, Yuta “Sudo-chan” Sudo – it was time for an final showdown. We went head-to-head to the Guns N’ Roses hit by Guns N’ Roses. When I heard the song, I felt comforted because it was a tune I recognized, and more than anything I was so eager to have another go. As they declared I’d won, the area went wild.

The moment is hazy. I think I lost consciousness from the excitement. Then all present started chanting Neil Young’s Rockin’ in the Free World and raised me up on to their arms. Justin Howard – also known as his stage name – a previous titleholder and one of my dear companions, was hugging me. I shed tears. I was Finland’s first air guitar international titleholder in 25 years. The earlier winner from Finland, Markus “Black Raven” Vainionpää, was there, too. He offered me the warmest embrace and said it was “finally happening”.

The air guitar community is like a support system. The phrase we live by is “Create music, not conflict”. It sounds silly, but it’s a true way of life. People come from all over the world, and everyone is positive and uplifting. Before you go on stage, every competitor offers an embrace. Then for one minute you’re allowed to be free, silly, the biggest rock star in the world.

I’m also a percussionist and string player in a musical act with my family member called the Southgates, inspired by the sports figure, as we’re influenced by UK rock and post-punk. I’ve been serving drinks for a few years now, and I produce mini movies and music videos. The victory hasn’t affected my daily activities drastically but I’ve been doing a many interviews, and I hope it leads to more creative work. The city will be a cultural hub next year, so there are promising opportunities.

At present, I’m just thankful: for the group, for the opportunity to play, and for that little kid who read an article and thought, “That's for me.”