🔗 Share this article

Back when I was 10, I read about a article in my local paper about the World Air Guitar Competition, that happens every year in my birthplace of Oulu, Finland. Mom and Dad had helped out at the inaugural contest back in 1996 – my mother gave out flyers, dad sorted the music. Since then, domestic competitions have been held globally, with the winners converging in Oulu every summer.

Back then, I inquired with my family if I could compete. They weren't sure at first; the event was in a bar, and there would be many grown-ups. They thought it might be an intimidating atmosphere, but I was resolved.

As a kid, I was always miming air guitar, miming along to the iconic rock tunes with my make-believe instrument. My family were music fans – dad loved Bruce Springsteen and the Irish rock band. the Australian rockers was the first band I found independently. Angus Young, the frontman guitarist, was my inspiration.

As I took the stage, I performed my act to AC/DC’s that classic track. The spectators started yelling “Angus”, just like the live recording, and it hit me: this is what it feels like to be a guitar hero. I advanced to the last round, performing to hundreds of people in the town square, and I was addicted. I earned the moniker “Little Angus” that day.

After that I stopped. 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, tested out several stage names, but everyone still referred to me as “Little Angus” so I embraced it and make “The Angus” as my stage name. I’ve made it to the final annually from 2022 onward, and in 2023 I came second, so I was resolved to claim victory this year.

The air guitar community is like a close-knit group. Our motto is ‘Create music, not conflict’. It may seem funny, but it’s a real philosophy.

The event is intense but joyful. Participants have 60 seconds to deliver maximum effort – explosive energy, perfect mime, rock star charisma – on an nonexistent axe. Adjudicators evaluate you on a grading system from four to six. When it's a draw, there’s an “tiebreaker” between the last two competitors: a song plays and you freestyle.

Getting ready is key. I selected an the band Avenged Sevenfold song for my act. I listened to it on a loop for a long time. I did regular stretches, trying to get my limbs prepared enough to jump, my fingers quick enough to mimic solos and my upper body set for those gestures and hops. When competition day came, I could sense the music in my being.

When the show concluded, the results were tallied, and I had matched with the winner from Japan, the Japanese titleholder – it was occasion for an final showdown. We faced off to the Guns N’ Roses hit by the rock group. When I heard the song, I felt relieved because it was familiar to me, and more than anything I was so eager to have another go. As they declared I’d emerged victorious, the area erupted.

The moment is hazy. I think I lost consciousness from surprise. Then everyone started performing Neil Young’s the anthem Rockin' in the Free World and hoisted me on to their shoulders. A former champion – also known as Nordic Thunder – a previous titleholder and one of my closest friends, was hugging me. I wept. I was the first Finnish air guitar world champion in a quarter-century. The previous Finnish champion, the former champion, was there, too. He gave me the warmest embrace and said it was “long overdue”.

This worldwide group is like a family. The phrase we live by is “Make air, not war”. It sounds silly, but it’s a real philosophy. People come from many countries, and everyone is supportive and encouraging. As you prepare to compete, all participants comes and hugs you. Then for 60 seconds you’re free to be uninhibited, silly, the ultimate music icon in the world.

Besides that, I'm a percussionist and string player in a musical act with my brother called the band name, referencing Gareth Southgate, as we’re fans of UK rock and post-punk. I’ve been serving drinks for a few years now, and I direct mini movies and song visuals. Winning hasn’t changed my day-to-day life too much but I’ve been doing a many interviews, and I aspire it brings more innovative opportunities. The city will be a designated cultural center the coming year, so there are exciting things ahead.

Currently, I’m just appreciative: for the community, for the ability to compete, and for that little kid who found a story and thought, “That's for me.”