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Back when I was 10, I discovered a article in my community gazette about the World Air Guitar Competition, which take place every year in my hometown of Oulu, Finland. Mom and Dad had participated at the inaugural contest since 1996 – mom distributed flyers, my father organized the music. From that point, national championships have been organized in many nations, with the champions gathering in Oulu every summer.

Back then, I inquired with my family if I could compete. Initially they had doubts; the event was in a bar, and there would be many grown-ups. They felt it might be an daunting atmosphere, but I was resolved.

In my youth, I was always performing air guitar, acting out to the iconic rock tunes with my invisible instrument. Mom and Dad were lovers of music – my father loved Bruce Springsteen and U2. the band AC/DC was the original act I stumbled upon myself. the guitarist, the guitar hero, was my inspiration.

As I took the stage, I performed my act to the band's the song Whole Lotta Rosie. The audience started yelling “Angus”, just like the album track, and it struck me: this is what it feels like to be a music icon. I made it to the finals, performing to crowds in Oulu’s market square, and I was hooked. I got the nickname “Little Angus” that day.

Later I paused. I was a adjudicator one year, and opened for the show another time, but I didn’t compete. I came back at 18, experimented with various stage names, but people kept calling me “Little Angus” so I decided to own it and adopt “The Angus” as my performance alias. I’ve qualified for the last round each competition since then, and in 2023 I came second, so I was set to claim victory this year.

Our global network is like a close-knit group. The saying we live by is ‘Create music, not conflict’. Though it appears humorous, but it’s a true ethos.

The contest is competitive but uplifting. Contestants have a short window to deliver maximum effort – explosive energy, precise mimicry, performance charm – on an nonexistent axe. Judges score you on a point range from four to six. When it's a draw, there’s an “showdown” between the final two contestants: a track is selected and you improvise.

Preparation is everything. I picked an Avenged Sevenfold song for my performance. I had it on repeat for weeks. I did regular stretches, trying to get my lower body prepared enough to leap, my fingers fast enough to mimic solos and my back ready for those moves and leaps. By the time the event dawned, I could sense the music in my being.

Once all acts were done, the results were tallied, and I had matched with the titleholder from Japan, Yuta “Sudo-chan” Sudo – it was moment for an air-off. We competed directly to Sweet Child o’ Mine by the rock group. As the music started, I felt comforted because it was one that I knew, and more than anything I was so thrilled to perform one more time. As they declared I’d triumphed, the area went wild.

It's all a bit fuzzy. I think I zoned out from the excitement. Then the crowd started chanting the song Rockin’ in the Free World and lifted me on to their shoulders. Justin Howard – also known as Nordic Thunder – a past winner and one of my best pals, was holding me. I wept. I was the first Finnish air guitar international titleholder in a quarter-century. The earlier winner from Finland, Markus “Black Raven” Vainionpää, was also present. He gave me the most heartfelt squeeze and said it was “finally happening”.

Our global network is like a family. The phrase we live by is “Create music, not conflict”. It may seem humorous, but it’s a real philosophy. People come from all over the world, and each person is positive and uplifting. As you prepare to compete, all participants shows support. Then for a brief period you’re able to be yourself, humorous, the biggest rock star in the world.

I’m also a drummer and guitarist in a musical act with my brother called the Southgates, named after the sports figure, as we’re fans of British music genres. I’ve been bartending for a couple of years, and I direct short films and performance clips. The victory hasn’t affected my daily activities significantly but I’ve been doing a many interviews, and I wish it brings more creative work. My hometown will be a designated cultural center soon, so there are promising opportunities.

Currently, I’m just grateful: for the community, for the opportunity to play, and for that young child who read an article and thought, “I'd love to try that.”