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At the age of 10, I discovered a article in my hometown newspaper about the Air Guitar World Championships, which take place every year in my hometown of Oulu, Finland. My parents had volunteered at the inaugural contest since 1996 – mom handed out flyers, dad organized the music. Ever since, domestic competitions have been held in many nations, with the winners gathering in Oulu each August.

Initially, I asked my parents if I could participate. Initially they had doubts; the show was in a bar, and there would be an older crowd. They thought it might be an overwhelming atmosphere, but I was set on it.

As a kid, I was always performing air guitar, miming along to the most popular rock tunes with my imaginary instrument. Mom and Dad were enthusiasts – my dad loved Springsteen and the Irish rock band. AC/DC was the initial group I stumbled upon myself. the lead guitarist, the frontman guitarist, was my hero.

Upon entering the spotlight, I played my set to AC/DC’s the song Whole Lotta Rosie. The crowd started chanting “Angus”, just like the live recording, and it hit me: this must be to be a guitar hero. I advanced to the last round, playing to a large audience in the town square, and I was addicted. I got the nickname “Little Angus” that day.

After that I stopped. I was a referee one year, and kicked off the show once more, but I didn’t compete. I came back at 18, experimented with various stage names, but everyone still referred to me as “Little Angus” so I decided to own it and choose “The Angus” as my artist name. I’ve made it to the final annually from 2022 onward, 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. The saying we live by is ‘Play air guitar, avoid battles’. It sounds silly, but it’s a real philosophy.

The event is competitive but uplifting. Participants have one minute to deliver maximum effort – explosive energy, precise mimicry, performance charm – on an imaginary instrument. The panel score you on a scale from 4.0 to 6.0. When it's a draw, there’s an “tiebreaker” between the remaining participants: a song plays and you freestyle.

Getting ready is key. I selected an the band Avenged Sevenfold song for my act. I listened to it on a loop for a long time. I practiced flexibility, trying to get my limbs loose enough to leap, my hands fast enough to copy riffs and my spine prepared for those gestures and hops. When the event came, I could internalize the track in my soul.

Once all acts were done, the scores came in, and I had matched with the Japanese champion, Yuta “Sudo-chan” Sudo – it was time for an final showdown. We competed directly to that classic rock anthem by the iconic band. Once the track began, I felt at ease because it was familiar to me, and more than anything I was so excited to play again. Once the results were read I’d won, the area went wild.

My memory is blurry. I think I lost consciousness from surprise. Then all present started performing Neil Young’s Rockin’ in the Free World and lifted me on to their arms. A former champion – alias Nordic Thunder – a previous titleholder and one of my best pals, was hugging me. I wept. I was the inaugural from Finland air guitar global winner in a quarter-century. The prior titleholder, Markus “Black Raven” Vainionpää, was in attendance as well. He gave me the warmest embrace and said it was “about damn time”.

This worldwide group is like a family. Our guiding saying is “Focus on fun, not fighting”. It may seem humorous, but it’s a real philosophy. Competitors come from many countries, and all involved is positive and uplifting. Before you go on stage, all participants comes and hugs you. Then for 60 seconds you’re allowed to be free, playful, the top performer in the world.

I’m also a beat keeper and guitarist in a musical act with my family member called the band name, named after the football manager, as we’re influenced by British music genres. I’ve been serving drinks for a couple of years, and I create short films and music videos. Winning hasn’t changed my day-to-day life significantly but I’ve been doing a extensive media, and I wish it leads to more artistic projects. The city will be a European capital of culture next year, so there are great prospects.

Currently, I’m just appreciative: for the community, for the ability to compete, and for that young child who read an article and thought, “That's for me.”