🔗 Share this article

At the age of 10, I read about a story in my community gazette about the World Air Guitar Competition, that happens every year in my birthplace of Oulu, Finland. My family had volunteered at the inaugural contest since 1996 – my mum gave out flyers, my father organized the music. Ever since, national championships have been staged globally, with the winners gathering in Oulu every summer.

At the time, I requested permission if I could enter. They weren't sure at first; the event 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 “playing” air guitar, pretending to play to the biggest rock tunes with my make-believe instrument. Mom and Dad were music fans – dad loved Springsteen and U2. the Australian rockers was the original act I found independently. Angus Young, the guitar hero, was my hero.

When I stepped on stage, I performed my act to AC/DC’s that classic track. The spectators started yelling “Angus”, reminiscent of the album track, and it hit me: so this is to be a guitar hero. I advanced to the last round, competing to hundreds of people in Oulu’s market square, and I was addicted. I was dubbed “Little Angus” that day.

Then I took a break. I was a judge one year, and kicked off the show once more, but I didn't participate. I came back at 18, experimented with various stage names, but fans continued using “Little Angus” so I accepted it fully and choose “The Angus” as my artist name. I’ve made it to the final every year since 2022, and in 2023 I placed second, so I was determined to win this year.

Our global network is like a close-knit group. Our motto is ‘Make air, not war’. It may seem funny, but it’s a real philosophy.

The competition itself is intense but joyful. Participants have a short window to put their all – explosive energy, precise mimicry, rock star charisma – on an imaginary instrument. The panel score you on a scale from 4.0 to 6.0. In the case of a tie, there’s an “tiebreaker” between the remaining participants: a tune begins and you freestyle.

Getting ready is key. I picked an Avenged Sevenfold song for my routine. I had it on repeat for a long time. I practiced flexibility, trying to get my legs flexible enough to leap, my fingers nimble enough to mimic solos and my back set for those bends and jumps. By the time the big day dawned, I could internalize the track in my being.

Once all acts were done, the scores came in, and I had drawn with the winner from Japan, a competitor known as Sudo-chan – it was time for an final showdown. We competed directly to Sweet Child o’ Mine by the iconic band. Once the track began, I felt relieved because it was a tune I recognized, and above all I was so excited to perform one more time. When they announced I’d won, the venue exploded.

The moment is hazy. I think I blacked out from surprise. Then all present started singing the classic tune that well-known track and raised me up on to their arms. Justin Howard – AKA his stage name – a former champion and one of my dear companions, was embracing me. I cried. I was the inaugural from Finland air guitar world champion in 25 years. The previous Finnish champion, Markus “Black Raven” Vainionpää, was there, too. He bestowed upon me the warmest embrace and said it was “long overdue”.

Our global network is like a support system. The phrase we live by is “Make air, not war”. It sounds silly, but it’s a true way of life. Participants come from many countries, and each person is helpful and motivating. Before you go on stage, all participants offers an embrace. Then for one minute you’re able to be free, silly, the biggest rock star in the world.

Besides that, I'm a percussionist and musician in a group with my family member called the Southgates, inspired by the football manager, as we’re inspired by British music genres. I’ve been serving drinks for a couple of years, and I produce mini movies and music videos. Winning hasn’t altered my routine significantly but I’ve been doing a many interviews, and I hope it brings more artistic projects. My hometown will be a designated cultural center soon, so there are great prospects.

For now, I’m just thankful: for the group, for the opportunity to play, and for that budding enthusiast who picked up a newspaper and thought, “I want to do that.”