🔗 Share this article

When I was just 10, I came across a story in my community gazette about the Air Guitar World Championships, held annually every year in my birthplace of Oulu, Finland. My family had participated at the very first contest since 1996 – my mother gave out flyers, my father sorted the music. Since then, domestic competitions have been staged all across the world, with the titleholders assembling in Oulu every summer.

At the time, I requested permission if I could compete. At first they were hesitant; the event was in a bar, and there would be many grown-ups. They believed it might be an overwhelming atmosphere, but I was resolved.

As a kid, I was always miming air guitar, miming along to the most popular rock tunes with my invisible instrument. My parents were lovers of music – dad loved The Boss and U2. the Australian rockers was the original act I discovered on my own. Angus Young, the frontman guitarist, was my hero.

When I stepped on stage, I did my routine to the band's that classic track. The spectators started shouting “Angus”, just like the concert version, and it dawned on me: so this is to be a guitar hero. I reached the championship, 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 adjudicator one year, and started the show another time, but I didn't participate. I came 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 reached the finals each competition since then, and in 2023 I was the runner-up, so I was determined to win this year.

The air guitar community is like a support system. Our motto is ‘Make air, not war’. It sounds silly, but it’s a real philosophy.

The contest is high-energy yet fun. Competitors have one minute to put their all – explosive energy, flawless imitation, rock star charisma – on an imaginary instrument. Judges rate you on a point range from 4.0 to 6.0. If scores are equal, there’s an “showdown” between the final two contestants: a song plays and you create on the spot.

Getting ready is key. I selected an Avenged Sevenfold song for my routine. I had it on repeat for multiple weeks. I stretched constantly, trying to get my legs prepared enough to leap, my hands nimble enough to mimic solos and my spine ready for those bends and jumps. Once competition day dawned, I could internalize the track in my soul.

Once all acts were done, the scores came in, and I had drawn with the titleholder from Japan, Yuta “Sudo-chan” Sudo – it was occasion for an tiebreaker. We went head-to-head to the Guns N’ Roses hit by Guns N’ Roses. When I heard the song, I felt relieved because it was a tune I recognized, and more than anything I was so thrilled to have another go. Once the results were read I’d triumphed, the square went wild.

My memory is blurry. I think I blacked out from shock. Then all present started performing Neil Young’s Rockin’ in the Free World and raised me up on to their arms. One of the greats – AKA Nordic Thunder – a previous titleholder and one of my best pals, was embracing me. I cried. I was the first Finnish air guitar world champion in two and a half decades. The prior titleholder, Markus “Black Raven” Vainionpää, was also present. He bestowed upon me the warmest embrace and said it was “about damn time”.

The air guitar community is like a family. The phrase we live by is “Make air, not war”. It may seem humorous, but it’s a real philosophy. People come from all over the world, and everyone is helpful and motivating. Before you go on stage, every competitor shows support. Then for one minute you’re allowed to be yourself, playful, the ultimate music icon in the world.

Additionally, I am a percussionist and musician in a band with my sibling called the group title, inspired by the sports figure, as we’re fans of Britpop and new wave. I’ve been serving drinks for a short time, and I create short films and music videos. The victory hasn’t altered my routine significantly but I’ve been doing a many interviews, and I wish it brings more innovative opportunities. Oulu will be a European capital of culture next year, so there are promising opportunities.

At present, I’m just grateful: for the group, for the ability to compete, and for that budding enthusiast who read an article and thought, “I want to do that.”