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Back when I was 10, I discovered a feature in my hometown newspaper about the Air Guitar World Championships, which take place every year in my native city of Oulu, Finland. My family had participated at the very first contest since 1996 – my mother distributed flyers, my father sorted the music. From that point, domestic competitions have been organized globally, with the champions assembling in Oulu annually.

Initially, I inquired with my family if I could participate. They weren't sure at first; the event was in a bar, and there would be many grown-ups. They felt it might be an overwhelming atmosphere, but I was resolved.

As a kid, I was always performing air guitar, acting out to the most popular rock tunes with my imaginary instrument. Mom and Dad were enthusiasts – my dad loved Springsteen and U2. AC/DC was the first band I discovered on my own. the guitarist, the frontman guitarist, was my inspiration.

When I stepped on stage, I performed my act to the band's the song Whole Lotta Rosie. The audience started shouting “Angus”, reminiscent of the live recording, and it hit me: so this is to be a guitar hero. I made it to the finals, performing to a large audience in the public plaza, and I was addicted. I earned the moniker “Little Angus” that day.

After that I stopped. I was a judge one year, and opened for the show another time, but I didn’t compete. I came back at 18, tested out several stage names, but people kept calling me “Little Angus” so I decided to own it and make “The Angus” as my performance alias. I’ve qualified for the last round every year since 2022, and in 2023 I was the runner-up, so I was determined to win this year.

The worldwide group 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 event is high-energy yet fun. Contestants have a short window to deliver maximum effort – high-powered performance, flawless imitation, rock star charisma – on an imaginary instrument. Judges evaluate you on a scale from 4.0 to 6.0. If scores are equal, there’s an “air-off” between the remaining participants: a tune begins and you freestyle.

Training is crucial. I chose an a metal group song for my routine. I had it on repeat for multiple weeks. I stretched constantly, trying to get my lower body loose enough to leap, my hands nimble enough to mimic solos and my back prepared for those bends and jumps. Once the big day came, I could feel the song in my soul.

After everyone had performed, the scores came in, and I had tied 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 at ease because it was one that I knew, and more than anything I was so excited to perform one more time. When they announced I’d triumphed, the area erupted.

It's all a bit fuzzy. I think I lost consciousness from shock. Then all present started performing the song Rockin’ in the Free World and raised me up on to their arms. A former champion – alias Nordic Thunder – a past winner and one of my closest friends, was hugging me. I cried. I was Finland’s first air guitar international titleholder in 25 years. The earlier winner from Finland, the former champion, was also present. He offered me the warmest embrace and said it was “about damn time”.

The air guitar community is like a family. The phrase we live by is “Make air, not war”. It may seem humorous, but it’s a genuine belief. Participants come from many countries, and all involved is positive and uplifting. Before you go on stage, every competitor shows support. Then for one minute you’re allowed to be uninhibited, silly, the biggest rock star in the world.

Besides that, I'm a drummer and string player in a group with my brother called the band name, named after Gareth Southgate, as we’re inspired by British music genres. I’ve been serving drinks for a few years now, and I create independent videos and song visuals. The title hasn’t changed my day-to-day life significantly but I’ve been doing a many interviews, and I wish it brings more creative work. My hometown will be a cultural hub the coming year, so there are exciting things ahead.

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