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Back when I was 10, I came across a story in my local paper about the Global Air Guitar Contest, that happens every year in my hometown of Oulu, Finland. Mom and Dad had volunteered at the inaugural contest starting from 1996 – mom gave out flyers, my dad sorted the music. Since then, country-level contests have been held all across the world, with the champions gathering in Oulu every summer.

At the time, I inquired with my family if I could participate. At first they were hesitant; the show was in a bar, and there would be a lot of adults. They believed it might be an intimidating atmosphere, but I was determined.

As a kid, I was always miming air guitar, miming along to the iconic rock tunes with my make-believe instrument. My parents were lovers of music – my father loved The Boss and U2. AC/DC was the original act I found independently. Angus Young, the lead guitarist, was my hero.

When I stepped on stage, I did my routine to the band's Whole Lotta Rosie. The audience started yelling “Angus”, similar to the live recording, and it struck me: this must be to be a guitar hero. I made it to the finals, competing to hundreds of people in Oulu’s market square, and I was hooked. I earned the moniker “Little Angus” that day.

Then I took a break. I was a adjudicator 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 everyone still referred to me as “Little Angus” so I embraced it and adopt “The Angus” as my performance alias. I’ve made it to the final every year since 2022, and in 2023 I was the runner-up, so I was resolved to win this year.

Our global network is like a close-knit group. Our motto is ‘Create music, not conflict’. It sounds silly, but it’s a real philosophy.

The competition itself is competitive but uplifting. Contestants have a short window to deliver maximum effort – explosive energy, perfect mime, rock star charisma – on an imaginary instrument. Adjudicators rate you on a point range from a specific numeric range. If scores are equal, there’s an “tiebreaker” between the last two competitors: a track is selected and you improvise.

Getting ready is key. I chose an a metal group song for my act. I listened to it on a loop for weeks. I stretched constantly, trying to get my lower body loose enough to leap, my fingers quick enough to copy riffs and my spine prepared for those bends and jumps. Once the event arrived, I could sense the music in my bones.

After everyone had performed, the results were tallied, and I had matched with the Japanese champion, Yuta “Sudo-chan” Sudo – it was time for an air-off. We faced off to that classic rock anthem by the rock group. When I heard the song, I felt relieved because it was familiar to me, and above all I was so eager to have another go. Once the results were read I’d won, the venue went wild.

It's all a bit fuzzy. I think I zoned out from surprise. Then the crowd started performing Neil Young’s Rockin’ in the Free World and lifted me on to their backs. A former champion – also known as his performer title – a past winner and one of my closest friends, was embracing me. I wept. I was the inaugural from Finland air guitar global winner in two and a half decades. The prior titleholder, Markus “Black Raven” Vainionpää, was in attendance as well. 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 sounds silly, but it’s a genuine belief. People come from many countries, and all involved is positive and uplifting. Before you go on stage, every competitor offers an embrace. Then for one minute you’re able to be uninhibited, playful, the biggest rock star in the world.

Additionally, I am a percussionist and string player in a musical act with my sibling called the band name, inspired by the sports figure, as we’re influenced by UK rock and post-punk. I’ve been working in bars for a short time, and I direct short films and song visuals. The title hasn’t affected my daily activities too much but I’ve been doing a lot of press, and I aspire it brings more creative work. Oulu will be a European capital of culture the coming year, so there are great prospects.

Currently, I’m just thankful: for the network, for the chance to perform, and for that little kid who found a story and thought, “That's for me.”