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Back when I was 10, I read about a story in my local paper about the World Air Guitar Competition, held annually every year in my native city of Oulu, Finland. Mom and Dad had helped out at the very first contest starting from 1996 – my mum handed out flyers, my father sorted the music. Since then, domestic competitions have been staged all across the world, with the winners gathering in Oulu annually.

At the time, I asked my parents if I could enter. Initially they had doubts; the show was in a bar, and there would be many grown-ups. They believed it might be an overwhelming atmosphere, but I was set on it.

During childhood, I was always “playing” air guitar, pretending to play to the biggest rock tunes with my invisible instrument. My family were music fans – dad loved Bruce Springsteen and U2. AC/DC was the first band I stumbled upon myself. Angus Young, the lead guitarist, was my idol.

As I took the stage, I did my routine to the band's Whole Lotta Rosie. The crowd started yelling “Angus”, similar to the concert version, and it struck me: this is what it feels like to be a guitar hero. I advanced to the last round, performing to hundreds of people in Oulu’s market square, and I was captivated. I was dubbed “Little Angus” that day.

After that I stopped. I was a judge one year, and started the show once more, but I stayed out of the contest. I went back at 18, experimented with various stage names, but fans continued using “Little Angus” so I embraced it and make “The Angus” as my artist name. I’ve made it to the final annually from 2022 onward, and in 2023 I came second, so I was resolved to claim victory this year.

The air guitar community is like a family. Our guiding principle is ‘Play air guitar, avoid battles’. It sounds silly, but it’s a true ethos.

The competition itself is intense but joyful. Competitors have a short window to deliver maximum effort – explosive energy, perfect mime, performance charm – on an invisible guitar. The panel rate 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 freestyle.

Training is crucial. I picked an the band Avenged Sevenfold song for my routine. I listened to it on a loop for weeks. I did regular stretches, trying to get my lower body prepared enough to jump, my digits quick enough to imitate guitar parts and my upper body prepared for those gestures and hops. Once competition day arrived, I could sense the music in my being.

After everyone had performed, the points were announced, and I had drawn with the Japanese champion, Yuta “Sudo-chan” Sudo – it was time for an tiebreaker. We competed directly to the Guns N’ Roses hit by the rock group. Once the track began, I felt at ease because it was a tune I recognized, and primarily I was so eager to have another go. As they declared I’d emerged victorious, the venue went wild.

It's all a bit fuzzy. I think I lost consciousness from surprise. Then all present started chanting the song the anthem Rockin' in the Free World and raised me up on to their shoulders. A former champion – alias Nordic Thunder – a past winner 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 prior titleholder, the former champion, was in attendance as well. He bestowed upon me the biggest hug and said it was “about damn time”.

The air guitar community is like a support system. Our motto is “Create music, not conflict”. It may seem humorous, but it’s a real philosophy. Competitors come from all over the world, and everyone is positive and uplifting. Before you go on stage, every competitor offers an embrace. Then for a brief period you’re able to be free, silly, the biggest rock star in the world.

I’m also a beat keeper and string player in a band with my sibling called the band name, inspired by the sports figure, as we’re influenced by Britpop and new wave. I’ve been bartending for a few years now, and I produce independent videos and performance clips. The title hasn’t changed my day-to-day life too much but I’ve been doing a extensive media, and I wish it leads to more artistic projects. My hometown will be a designated cultural center next year, so there are exciting things ahead.

For now, I’m just thankful: for the community, for the ability to compete, and for that budding enthusiast who read an article and thought, “I want to do that.”