I Am the Air Guitar World Champion

At the age of 10, I came across a feature in my hometown newspaper about the Global Air Guitar Contest, that happens every year in my birthplace of Oulu, Finland. My parents had volunteered at the pioneering contest back in 1996 – my mum handed out flyers, dad sorted the music. From that point, domestic competitions have been staged globally, with the champions assembling in Oulu every summer.

Initially, I asked my parents if I could enter. Initially they had doubts; the show was in a bar, and there would be a lot of adults. They felt it might be an overwhelming atmosphere, but I was determined.

In my youth, I was always performing air guitar, pretending to play to the biggest rock tunes with my invisible instrument. My parents were music fans – my dad loved Springsteen and the Irish rock band. the band AC/DC was the first band I stumbled upon myself. the lead guitarist, the frontman guitarist, was my inspiration.

As I took the stage, I did my routine to AC/DC’s that classic track. The spectators started chanting “Angus”, just like the live recording, and it dawned on me: this is what it feels like to be a guitar hero. I made it to the finals, playing to a large audience in Oulu’s market square, and I was addicted. I was dubbed “Little Angus” that day.

Later I paused. I was a judge one year, and opened for the show another time, but I didn't participate. I came back at 18, tried a few different stage names, but people kept calling me “Little Angus” so I embraced it and adopt “The Angus” as my artist name. I’ve qualified for the last round each competition since then, and in 2023 I was the runner-up, so I was determined to take the title this year.

The air guitar community is like a close-knit group. The saying we live by is ‘Make air, not war’. Though it appears humorous, but it’s a genuine belief.

The contest is competitive but uplifting. Competitors have a short window to deliver maximum effort – explosive energy, flawless imitation, stage magnetism – on an nonexistent axe. Adjudicators evaluate you on a grading system from 4.0 to 6.0. When it's a draw, there’s an “air-off” between the final two contestants: a song plays and you freestyle.

Preparation is everything. I picked an the band Avenged Sevenfold song for my performance. I listened to it on a loop for a long time. I did regular stretches, trying to get my legs loose enough to jump, my digits quick enough to mimic solos and my upper body prepared for those gestures and hops. By the time the big day arrived, I could feel the song in my bones.

When the show concluded, the points were announced, and I had drawn with the titleholder from Japan, a competitor known as Sudo-chan – it was occasion for an tiebreaker. We faced off to Sweet Child o’ Mine by Guns N’ Roses. When I heard the song, I felt relieved because it was one that I knew, and primarily I was so eager to perform one more time. When they announced I’d triumphed, the venue erupted.

It's all a bit fuzzy. I think I blacked out from the excitement. Then the crowd started chanting Neil Young’s Rockin’ in the Free World and hoisted me on to their arms. A former champion – alias his performer title – a past winner and one of my closest friends, was hugging me. I wept. I was Finland’s first air guitar world champion in a quarter-century. The earlier winner from Finland, the former champion, was there, too. He bestowed upon me the most heartfelt squeeze and said it was “long overdue”.

The air guitar community is like a close-knit group. Our motto is “Make air, not war”. Though it appears comical, but it’s a real philosophy. Competitors come from all over the world, and each person is supportive and encouraging. Prior to performing, every competitor comes and hugs you. Then for one minute you’re free to be yourself, silly, the ultimate music icon in the world.

Besides that, I'm a drummer and string player in a group with my brother called the band name, named after the football manager, as we’re fans of UK rock and post-punk. I’ve been working in bars for a few years now, and I create short films and song visuals. Winning hasn’t affected my daily activities significantly but I’ve been doing a lot of press, and I aspire it brings more creative work. The city will be a European capital of culture soon, so there are great prospects.

Currently, I’m just grateful: for the community, for the ability to compete, and for that little kid who picked up a newspaper and thought, “That's for me.”