🔗 Share this article

When I was just 10, I read about a feature in my community gazette about the Air Guitar World Championships, which take place every year in my native city of Oulu, Finland. My family had participated at the pioneering contest back in 1996 – my mother gave out flyers, my father organized the music. Ever since, country-level contests have been organized in many nations, with the titleholders assembling in Oulu annually.

Back then, I requested permission if I could compete. Initially they had doubts; the show was in a bar, and there would be many grown-ups. They believed it might be an daunting atmosphere, but I was determined.

As a kid, I was always “playing” air guitar, acting out to the iconic rock tunes with my make-believe instrument. My parents were music fans – my father loved The Boss and U2. the band AC/DC was the first band I found independently. Angus Young, the lead guitarist, was my inspiration.

When I stepped on stage, I played my set to AC/DC’s that classic track. The crowd started chanting “Angus”, just like the album track, and it hit me: this is what it feels like to be a rock star. I reached the championship, performing to hundreds of people 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 started the show another time, but I didn't participate. I returned at 18, experimented with various stage names, but fans continued using “Little Angus” so I decided to own it and choose “The Angus” as my performance alias. I’ve made it to the final annually from 2022 onward, and in 2023 I came second, so I was set to win this year.

Our global network is like a close-knit group. Our guiding principle is ‘Play air guitar, avoid battles’. It may seem funny, but it’s a genuine belief.

The competition itself is competitive but uplifting. Participants have 60 seconds to deliver maximum effort – dynamic presence, flawless imitation, performance charm – on an invisible guitar. Adjudicators score you on a scale from four to six. In the case of a tie, there’s an “air-off” between the final two contestants: a song plays and you create on the spot.

Getting ready is key. I chose an a metal group song for my performance. I played it repeatedly for weeks. I did regular stretches, trying to get my lower body loose enough to bound, my hands fast enough to imitate guitar parts and my spine prepared for those gestures and hops. Once the event arrived, I could sense the music in my soul.

After everyone had performed, the points were announced, and I had matched with the titleholder from Japan, a competitor known as Sudo-chan – it was occasion for an air-off. We went head-to-head 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 above all I was so thrilled to perform one more time. When they announced I’d won, the area went wild.

The moment is hazy. I think I blacked out from shock. Then the crowd started performing the song the anthem Rockin' in the Free World and hoisted me on to their shoulders. One of the greats – also known as his stage name – a former champion 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 earlier winner from Finland, the earlier victor, was there, too. He gave me the warmest embrace and said it was “long overdue”.

This worldwide group is like a support system. Our guiding saying is “Focus on fun, not fighting”. It sounds silly, but it’s a genuine belief. People come from many countries, and everyone is helpful and motivating. Prior to performing, every competitor offers an embrace. Then for 60 seconds you’re free to be uninhibited, silly, the top performer in the world.

I’m also a drummer and guitarist in a group with my brother called the Southgates, referencing the football manager, as we’re inspired by Britpop and new wave. I’ve been working in bars for a couple of years, and I direct independent videos and music videos. The title hasn’t changed my day-to-day life too much but I’ve been doing a many interviews, and I aspire it leads to more artistic projects. The city will be a European capital of culture the coming year, so there are great prospects.

For now, I’m just grateful: for the community, for the opportunity to play, and for that budding enthusiast who found a story and thought, “That's for me.”