🔗 Share this article

At the age of 10, I discovered a feature in my hometown newspaper about the World Air Guitar Competition, that happens every year in my native city of Oulu, Finland. Mom and Dad had participated at the pioneering contest since 1996 – mom handed out flyers, my dad organized the music. Since then, national championships have been staged globally, with the winners gathering in Oulu annually.

At the time, I inquired with my family if I could compete. At first they were hesitant; the event was in a bar, and there would be a lot of adults. They felt it might be an daunting atmosphere, but I was set on it.

As a kid, I was always performing air guitar, miming along to the biggest rock tunes with my invisible instrument. Mom and Dad were lovers of music – my father loved Springsteen and the Irish rock band. the Australian rockers was the first band I discovered on my own. Angus Young, the frontman guitarist, was my inspiration.

As I took the stage, I played my set to AC/DC’s Whole Lotta Rosie. The audience started chanting “Angus”, reminiscent of the concert version, and it dawned on me: so this is to be a rock star. I advanced to the last round, playing to a large audience in the public plaza, and I was addicted. I got the nickname “Little Angus” that day.

Then I took a break. I was a judge one year, and kicked off the show on another occasion, but I didn’t compete. I went back at 18, tried a few different stage names, but people kept calling me “Little Angus” so I embraced it and make “The Angus” as my artist name. I’ve reached the finals annually from 2022 onward, and in 2023 I placed second, so I was resolved to win this year.

The worldwide group is like a support system. Our motto is ‘Play air guitar, avoid battles’. It sounds silly, but it’s a true ethos.

The competition itself is high-energy yet fun. Contestants have a short window to put their all – high-powered performance, perfect mime, stage magnetism – on an imaginary instrument. The panel rate you on a point range from a specific numeric range. If scores are equal, there’s an “air-off” between the last two competitors: a tune begins and you freestyle.

Training is crucial. I picked an Avenged Sevenfold song for my act. I played it repeatedly for weeks. I stretched constantly, trying to get my lower body prepared enough to leap, my hands quick enough to imitate guitar parts and my spine ready for those gestures and hops. By the time competition day arrived, I could feel the song in my soul.

When the show concluded, the results were tallied, and I had tied with the winner from Japan, the Japanese titleholder – it was time for an tiebreaker. We went head-to-head to the Guns N’ Roses hit by the iconic band. As the music started, I felt relieved because it was familiar to me, and above all I was so excited to have another go. When they announced I’d emerged victorious, the area exploded.

It's all a bit fuzzy. I think I lost consciousness from surprise. Then the crowd started singing the song that well-known track and raised me up on to their backs. Justin Howard – AKA his stage name – a previous titleholder and one of my best pals, was hugging me. I cried. I was the first Finnish air guitar world champion in a quarter-century. The earlier winner from Finland, the former champion, was in attendance as well. He offered me the most heartfelt squeeze and said it was “finally happening”.

This worldwide group is like a close-knit group. Our guiding saying is “Make air, not war”. It sounds silly, but it’s a genuine belief. Competitors come from all over the world, and all involved is helpful and motivating. Before you go on stage, every competitor comes and hugs you. Then for one minute you’re allowed to be yourself, silly, the ultimate music icon in the world.

I’m also a beat keeper and guitarist in a group with my family member called the group title, referencing the sports figure, as we’re influenced by British music genres. I’ve been working in bars for a couple of years, and I create independent videos and song visuals. The victory hasn’t changed my day-to-day life too much but I’ve been doing a lot of press, and I hope it results in more artistic projects. Oulu will be a cultural hub next year, so there are exciting things ahead.

Currently, I’m just appreciative: for the community, for the opportunity to play, and for that young child who read an article and thought, “I want to do that.”