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When I was just 10, I discovered a feature in my community gazette about the Global Air Guitar Contest, that happens every year in my native city of Oulu, Finland. My family had volunteered at the pioneering contest back in 1996 – my mum handed out flyers, my father managed the music. Since then, domestic competitions have been held globally, with the titleholders gathering in Oulu every summer.

Back then, I requested permission if I could compete. Initially they had doubts; the competition was in a bar, and there would be a lot of adults. They thought it might be an overwhelming atmosphere, but I was set on it.

During childhood, I was always “playing” air guitar, miming along to the biggest rock tunes with my imaginary instrument. My parents were music fans – dad loved The Boss and the Irish rock band. AC/DC was the first band I discovered on my own. the guitarist, the frontman guitarist, was my hero.

When I stepped on stage, I did my routine to AC/DC’s Whole Lotta Rosie. The crowd started yelling “Angus”, just like the album track, and it dawned on me: this must be to be a rock star. I reached the championship, performing to hundreds of people in Oulu’s market square, and I was addicted. I got the nickname “Little Angus” that day.

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

The worldwide group is like a close-knit group. Our motto is ‘Make air, not war’. Though it appears humorous, but it’s a real philosophy.

The contest is high-energy yet fun. Competitors have one minute to deliver maximum effort – high-powered performance, perfect mime, performance charm – on an imaginary instrument. Judges rate you on a grading system from 4.0 to 6.0. In the case of a tie, there’s an “tiebreaker” between the remaining participants: a tune begins and you create on the spot.

Training is crucial. I selected an the band Avenged Sevenfold song for my performance. I had it on repeat for a long time. I stretched constantly, trying to get my legs prepared enough to bound, my fingers nimble enough to mimic solos and my spine ready for those moves and leaps. Once the big day dawned, I could internalize the track in my being.

When the show concluded, the points were announced, and I had matched with the titleholder from Japan, a competitor known as Sudo-chan – it was occasion for an tiebreaker. We competed directly to the Guns N’ Roses hit by the rock group. When I heard the song, I felt at ease because it was one that I knew, and above all I was so excited to perform one more time. As they declared I’d triumphed, the venue erupted.

My memory is blurry. I think I lost consciousness from the excitement. Then all present started chanting Neil Young’s Rockin’ in the Free World and lifted me on to their shoulders. Justin Howard – alias Nordic Thunder – a former champion and one of my best pals, was embracing me. I wept. I was Finland’s first air guitar international titleholder in two and a half decades. The prior titleholder, the earlier victor, was there, too. He offered me the warmest embrace and said it was “finally happening”.

This worldwide group is like a close-knit group. The phrase we live by is “Make air, not war”. It sounds silly, but it’s a real philosophy. Participants come from all over the world, and all involved is positive and uplifting. As you prepare to compete, each contestant offers an embrace. Then for 60 seconds you’re free to be uninhibited, humorous, the top performer in the world.

Additionally, I am a drummer and string player in a group with my sibling called the Southgates, referencing the football manager, as we’re fans of British music genres. I’ve been bartending for a couple of years, and I direct independent videos and performance clips. The victory hasn’t altered my routine significantly but I’ve been doing a lot of press, and I aspire it results in more innovative opportunities. Oulu will be a cultural hub soon, so there are great prospects.

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