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When I was just 10, I discovered a feature in my local paper about the Global Air Guitar Contest, which take place every year in my hometown of Oulu, Finland. Mom and Dad had volunteered at the pioneering contest since 1996 – mom handed out flyers, dad managed the music. Since then, country-level contests have been held in many nations, with the winners converging in Oulu annually.

At the time, I inquired with my family if I could enter. Initially they had doubts; the competition was in a bar, and there would be a lot of adults. They thought it might be an overwhelming atmosphere, but I was set on it.

As a kid, I was always “playing” air guitar, pretending to play to the iconic rock tunes with my make-believe instrument. Mom and Dad were music fans – my dad loved Bruce Springsteen and U2. the Australian rockers was the first band I stumbled upon myself. Angus Young, the guitar hero, was my idol.

When I stepped on stage, I performed my act to AC/DC’s Whole Lotta Rosie. The spectators started shouting “Angus”, just like the album track, and it dawned on me: this is what it feels like to be a music icon. I reached the championship, competing to a large audience in the public plaza, and I was addicted. I was dubbed “Little Angus” that day.

Later I paused. I was a adjudicator one year, and kicked off 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 decided to own it and adopt “The Angus” as my artist name. I’ve reached the finals annually from 2022 onward, and in 2023 I was the runner-up, so I was set to take the title this year.

Our global network is like a family. Our guiding principle is ‘Create music, not conflict’. It may seem funny, but it’s a genuine belief.

The event is competitive but uplifting. Competitors have 60 seconds to put their all – explosive energy, perfect mime, rock star charisma – on an imaginary instrument. Judges score you on a grading system from a specific numeric range. If scores are equal, there’s an “tiebreaker” between the final two contestants: a song plays and you improvise.

Preparation is everything. I selected an a metal group song for my performance. I listened to it on a loop for weeks. I stretched constantly, trying to get my lower body loose enough to jump, my digits quick enough to copy riffs and my spine prepared for those moves and leaps. When the event came, I could feel the song in my being.

After everyone had performed, the points were announced, and I had drawn with the titleholder from Japan, a competitor known as Sudo-chan – it was occasion for an final showdown. We went head-to-head to Sweet Child o’ Mine by Guns N’ Roses. When I heard the song, I felt comforted because it was one that I knew, and more than anything I was so thrilled to play again. When they announced I’d emerged victorious, the venue erupted.

My memory is blurry. I think I blacked out from the excitement. Then all present started chanting the song Rockin’ in the Free World and raised me up on to their backs. One of the greats – alias his performer title – a former champion and one of my closest friends, was holding me. I shed tears. I was Finland’s first air guitar world champion in 25 years. The earlier winner from Finland, Markus “Black Raven” Vainionpää, was also present. He bestowed upon me the biggest hug and said it was “about damn time”.

This worldwide group is like a close-knit group. Our guiding saying is “Create music, not conflict”. It sounds silly, but it’s a genuine belief. Participants come from all over the world, and each person is positive and uplifting. Prior to performing, all participants offers an embrace. Then for one minute you’re free to be yourself, humorous, the top performer in the world.

Additionally, I am a drummer and musician in a band with my brother called the Southgates, named after the sports figure, as we’re influenced by Britpop and new wave. I’ve been working in bars for a short time, and I produce independent videos and performance clips. Winning hasn’t affected my daily activities significantly but I’ve been doing a extensive media, and I hope it brings more artistic projects. My hometown will be a designated cultural center soon, so there are exciting things ahead.

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