🔗 Share this article

At the age of 10, I came across a feature in my community gazette about the Global Air Guitar Contest, that happens every year in my birthplace of Oulu, Finland. My family had participated at the pioneering contest back in 1996 – my mum distributed flyers, my father organized the music. From that point, domestic competitions have been staged globally, with the winners gathering in Oulu each August.

Back then, I inquired with my family if I could enter. Initially they had doubts; the show was in a bar, and there would be an older crowd. They believed it might be an overwhelming atmosphere, but I was set on it.

As a kid, I was always “playing” air guitar, acting out to the iconic rock tunes with my make-believe instrument. Mom and Dad were lovers of music – my father loved The Boss and the Irish rock band. AC/DC was the original act I stumbled upon myself. the lead guitarist, the frontman guitarist, was my inspiration.

When I stepped on stage, I did my routine to the band's that classic track. The audience started chanting “Angus”, just like the album track, and it hit me: this is what it feels like to be a music icon. I advanced to the last round, competing to hundreds of people in Oulu’s market square, and I was hooked. I was dubbed “Little Angus” that day.

Later I paused. I was a referee one year, and opened for the show once more, but I didn’t compete. I returned at 18, experimented with various stage names, but everyone still referred to me as “Little Angus” so I decided to own it and make “The Angus” as my performance alias. I’ve reached the finals annually from 2022 onward, and in 2023 I came second, so I was determined to take the title this year.

The air guitar community is like a close-knit group. Our motto is ‘Play air guitar, avoid battles’. It sounds silly, but it’s a true ethos.

The event is high-energy yet fun. Participants have a short window to deliver maximum effort – dynamic presence, perfect mime, stage magnetism – on an nonexistent axe. The panel rate you on a grading system from a specific numeric range. In the case of a tie, there’s an “air-off” between the last two competitors: a song plays and you create on the spot.

Training is crucial. I picked an the band Avenged Sevenfold song for my routine. I listened to it on a loop for a long time. I stretched constantly, trying to get my lower body loose enough to bound, my hands fast enough to mimic solos and my back ready for those bends and jumps. By the time the event came, I could internalize the track in my soul.

Once all acts were done, the scores came in, and I had drawn with the winner from Japan, a competitor known as Sudo-chan – it was moment for an air-off. We went head-to-head to that classic rock anthem by the iconic band. When I heard the song, I felt relieved because it was a tune I recognized, and more than anything I was so excited to have another go. Once the results were read I’d triumphed, the venue exploded.

My memory is blurry. I think I zoned out from surprise. Then everyone started performing the classic tune that well-known track and lifted me on to their shoulders. One of the greats – alias his performer title – a previous titleholder and one of my closest friends, was holding me. I shed tears. I was the inaugural from Finland air guitar world champion in a quarter-century. The previous Finnish champion, the former champion, was in attendance as well. He offered me the most heartfelt squeeze and said it was “long overdue”.

Our global network is like a support system. Our motto is “Focus on fun, not fighting”. It sounds silly, but it’s a real philosophy. Participants come from many countries, and everyone is positive and uplifting. As you prepare to compete, every competitor offers an embrace. Then for 60 seconds you’re able to be uninhibited, silly, the biggest rock star in the world.

Besides that, I'm a drummer and guitarist in a musical act with my sibling called the band name, referencing the sports figure, as we’re fans of British music genres. I’ve been bartending for a short time, and I produce independent videos and song visuals. Winning hasn’t changed my day-to-day life too much but I’ve been doing a lot of press, and I wish it leads to more artistic projects. The city will be a designated cultural center next year, so there are great prospects.

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