🔗 Share this article

At the age of 10, I discovered a article in my local paper about the Global Air Guitar Contest, which take place every year in my birthplace of Oulu, Finland. My family had volunteered at the very first contest starting from 1996 – my mum gave out flyers, my dad organized the music. From that point, national championships have been held all across the world, with the titleholders converging in Oulu annually.

Initially, I asked my parents if I could compete. Initially they had doubts; the show was in a bar, and there would be an older crowd. They believed it might be an intimidating atmosphere, but I was determined.

In my youth, I was always miming air guitar, miming along to the iconic rock tunes with my invisible instrument. My parents were enthusiasts – dad loved The Boss and U2. the Australian rockers was the original act I discovered on my own. the lead guitarist, the guitar hero, was my hero.

When I stepped on stage, I played my set to AC/DC’s the song Whole Lotta Rosie. The spectators started yelling “Angus”, similar to the live recording, and it hit me: so this is to be a guitar hero. I made it to the finals, competing to hundreds of people in Oulu’s market square, and I was addicted. I was dubbed “Little Angus” that day.

Later I paused. I was a referee one year, and kicked off 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 decided to own it and adopt “The Angus” as my performance alias. I’ve qualified for the last round every year since 2022, and in 2023 I placed second, so I was resolved to win this year.

Our global network is like a support system. Our motto is ‘Create music, not conflict’. It may seem funny, but it’s a genuine belief.

The competition itself is intense but joyful. Participants have a short window to give everything – high-powered performance, precise mimicry, stage magnetism – on an nonexistent axe. Adjudicators evaluate you on a grading system from four to six. In the case of a tie, there’s an “showdown” between the remaining participants: a tune begins and you improvise.

Preparation is everything. I selected an Avenged Sevenfold song for my act. I had it on repeat for weeks. I stretched constantly, trying to get my lower body prepared enough to bound, my fingers nimble enough to imitate guitar parts and my back prepared for those gestures and hops. Once competition day arrived, I could sense the music in my being.

After everyone had performed, the scores came in, and I had drawn with the winner from Japan, the Japanese titleholder – it was time for an tiebreaker. We faced off to the Guns N’ Roses hit by the iconic band. When I heard the song, I felt relieved because it was one that I knew, and more than anything I was so excited to have another go. As they declared I’d emerged victorious, the square went wild.

It's all a bit fuzzy. I think I blacked out from the excitement. Then all present started performing the song that well-known track and lifted me on to their arms. A former champion – AKA his performer title – a previous titleholder and one of my closest friends, was hugging me. I cried. I was the first Finnish air guitar world champion in two and a half decades. The earlier winner from Finland, the former champion, was there, too. He offered me the most heartfelt squeeze and said it was “long overdue”.

The air guitar community is like a family. The phrase we live by is “Focus on fun, not fighting”. Though it appears comical, but it’s a genuine belief. Competitors come from globally, and each person is helpful and motivating. Prior to performing, every competitor shows support. Then for 60 seconds you’re allowed to be uninhibited, silly, the biggest rock star in the world.

Additionally, I am a beat keeper and guitarist in a group with my family member called the group title, inspired by the sports figure, as we’re fans of Britpop and new wave. I’ve been working in bars for a short time, and I produce short films and song visuals. The title hasn’t changed my day-to-day life significantly but I’ve been doing a extensive media, and I hope it results in more innovative opportunities. My hometown will be a cultural hub soon, so there are promising opportunities.

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