🔗 Share this article

At the age of 10, I read about a article in my community gazette about the Air Guitar World Championships, which take place every year in my birthplace of Oulu, Finland. My family had participated at the very first contest back in 1996 – my mum distributed flyers, my father managed the music. Since then, country-level contests have been staged all across the world, with the winners gathering in Oulu each August.

Back then, I asked my parents if I could compete. They weren't sure at first; the event was in a bar, and there would be a lot of adults. They thought it might be an daunting atmosphere, but I was resolved.

As a kid, I was always performing air guitar, acting out to the biggest rock tunes with my invisible instrument. My parents were music fans – my father loved Bruce Springsteen and U2. AC/DC was the initial group I stumbled upon myself. the lead guitarist, the frontman guitarist, was my hero.

When I stepped on stage, I performed my act to AC/DC’s Whole Lotta Rosie. The crowd started yelling “Angus”, reminiscent of the concert version, and it dawned on me: this must be to be a music icon. I made it to the finals, playing to hundreds of people in the public plaza, and I was addicted. I earned the moniker “Little Angus” that day.

Then I took a break. I was a judge one year, and kicked off the show another time, but I didn't participate. I went back at 18, tested out several stage names, but people kept calling me “Little Angus” so I accepted it fully and make “The Angus” as my performance alias. I’ve qualified for the last round annually from 2022 onward, and in 2023 I was the runner-up, so I was set to take the title this year.

The air guitar community is like a close-knit group. The saying we live by is ‘Make air, not war’. It may seem funny, but it’s a genuine belief.

The contest is competitive but uplifting. Participants have 60 seconds to put their all – explosive energy, precise mimicry, stage magnetism – on an nonexistent axe. Judges 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.

Training is crucial. I selected an the band Avenged Sevenfold song for my performance. I played it repeatedly for a long time. I stretched constantly, trying to get my limbs flexible enough to bound, my hands fast enough to mimic solos and my spine set for those bends and jumps. When the big day came, I could internalize the track in my being.

After everyone had performed, the points were announced, and I had matched with the winner from Japan, the Japanese titleholder – it was moment for an air-off. We competed directly to the Guns N’ Roses hit by the iconic band. As the music started, I felt relieved because it was familiar to me, and more than anything I was so eager to play again. Once the results were read I’d triumphed, the square went wild.

It's all a bit fuzzy. I think I zoned out from shock. Then everyone started performing the classic tune Rockin’ in the Free World and lifted me on to their shoulders. A former champion – also known as his performer title – a past winner and one of my dear companions, was hugging me. I cried. I was the inaugural from Finland air guitar international titleholder in a quarter-century. The previous Finnish champion, the earlier victor, was in attendance as well. He gave me the warmest embrace and said it was “about damn time”.

This worldwide group is like a support system. The phrase we live by is “Focus on fun, not fighting”. It may seem humorous, but it’s a true way of life. Participants come from globally, and each person is supportive and encouraging. Prior to performing, all participants comes and hugs you. Then for one minute you’re free to be uninhibited, playful, the biggest rock star in the world.

Besides that, I'm a beat keeper and string player in a musical act with my brother called the group title, referencing the football manager, as we’re inspired by UK rock and post-punk. I’ve been working in bars for a couple of years, and I create independent videos and music videos. Winning hasn’t altered my routine too much but I’ve been doing a lot of press, and I hope it leads to more creative work. The city will be a designated cultural center next year, so there are promising opportunities.

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