🔗 Share this article

When I was just 10, I came across a article in my community gazette about the Air Guitar World Championships, held annually every year in my native city of Oulu, Finland. My parents had participated at the inaugural contest starting from 1996 – my mum gave out flyers, dad organized the music. From that point, national championships have been held globally, with the titleholders gathering in Oulu every summer.

Back then, I requested permission if I could participate. They weren't sure at first; the event was in a bar, and there would be many grown-ups. They felt it might be an intimidating atmosphere, but I was set on it.

As a kid, I was always performing air guitar, pretending to play to the iconic rock tunes with my make-believe instrument. Mom and Dad were music fans – my father loved Springsteen and U2. the Australian rockers was the original act I stumbled upon myself. Angus Young, the lead guitarist, was my inspiration.

As I took the stage, I played my set to the band's Whole Lotta Rosie. The crowd started shouting “Angus”, similar to the album track, and it struck me: this must be to be a music icon. I made it to the finals, performing to hundreds of people in the public plaza, and I was addicted. I was dubbed “Little Angus” that day.

Later I paused. I was a adjudicator one year, and started the show another time, but I didn't participate. I returned at 18, experimented with various stage names, but people kept calling me “Little Angus” so I accepted it fully and choose “The Angus” as my stage name. I’ve reached the finals every year since 2022, and in 2023 I placed second, so I was determined to take the title this year.

The air guitar community is like a support system. Our guiding principle is ‘Play air guitar, avoid battles’. Though it appears humorous, but it’s a real philosophy.

The contest is intense but joyful. Contestants have a short window to deliver maximum effort – high-powered performance, precise mimicry, performance charm – on an invisible guitar. Judges evaluate you on a grading system from 4.0 to 6.0. If scores are equal, there’s an “showdown” between the remaining participants: a track is selected and you freestyle.

Getting ready is key. I chose an a metal group song for my performance. I played it repeatedly for multiple weeks. I stretched constantly, trying to get my legs loose enough to bound, my digits nimble enough to mimic solos and my back prepared for those gestures and hops. When competition day dawned, I could feel the song in my being.

After everyone had performed, the scores came in, and I had matched with the Japanese champion, the Japanese titleholder – it was time for an air-off. We faced off to Sweet Child o’ Mine by Guns N’ Roses. Once the track began, I felt at ease because it was familiar to me, and primarily I was so eager to have another go. As they declared I’d emerged victorious, the square went wild.

It's all a bit fuzzy. I think I zoned out from surprise. Then the crowd started chanting the classic tune the anthem Rockin' in the Free World and lifted me on to their backs. Justin Howard – also known as Nordic Thunder – a previous titleholder and one of my best pals, was hugging me. I shed tears. I was Finland’s first air guitar world champion in two and a half decades. The earlier winner from Finland, the earlier victor, was also present. He bestowed upon me the warmest embrace and said it was “about damn time”.

Our global network is like a family. Our motto is “Make air, not war”. Though it appears comical, but it’s a real philosophy. Participants come from globally, and each person is positive and uplifting. Prior to performing, all participants comes and hugs you. Then for 60 seconds you’re able to be uninhibited, playful, the top performer in the world.

Besides that, I'm a beat keeper and guitarist in a group with my sibling called the band name, referencing the football manager, as we’re influenced by British music genres. I’ve been bartending for a short time, and I create mini movies and music videos. The title hasn’t changed my day-to-day life drastically but I’ve been doing a many interviews, and I hope it results in more artistic projects. Oulu will be a cultural hub the coming year, so there are exciting things ahead.

Currently, I’m just thankful: for the network, for the opportunity to play, and for that little kid who picked up a newspaper and thought, “I want to do that.”