🔗 Share this article

At the age of 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. My parents had helped out at the inaugural contest since 1996 – mom gave out flyers, my father sorted the music. From that point, domestic competitions have been staged all across the world, with the winners assembling in Oulu every summer.

At the time, I asked my parents if I could participate. Initially they had doubts; the event was in a bar, and there would be many grown-ups. They believed it might be an overwhelming atmosphere, but I was set on it.

In my youth, I was always performing air guitar, acting out to the biggest rock tunes with my imaginary instrument. My parents were music fans – my dad loved Springsteen and U2. the band AC/DC was the first band I discovered on my own. the guitarist, the lead guitarist, was my inspiration.

When I stepped on stage, I did my routine to AC/DC’s the song Whole Lotta Rosie. The spectators started shouting “Angus”, just like the live recording, and it hit me: this must be to be a music icon. I advanced to the last round, playing to crowds in Oulu’s market square, and I was hooked. I earned the moniker “Little Angus” that day.

After that I stopped. I was a referee one year, and kicked off the show another time, but I stayed out of the contest. I went back at 18, experimented with various 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 qualified for the last round annually from 2022 onward, and in 2023 I came second, so I was resolved to win this year.

The worldwide group is like a support system. Our guiding principle is ‘Create music, not conflict’. Though it appears humorous, but it’s a genuine belief.

The contest is intense but joyful. Participants have a short window to deliver maximum effort – high-powered performance, perfect mime, performance charm – on an invisible guitar. The panel rate you on a grading system from 4.0 to 6.0. If scores are equal, there’s an “air-off” between the final two contestants: a song plays and you create on the spot.

Getting ready is key. I picked an Avenged Sevenfold song for my routine. I listened to it on a loop for a long time. I practiced flexibility, trying to get my legs flexible enough to leap, my fingers fast enough to mimic solos and my spine prepared for those moves and leaps. Once the big day dawned, I could feel the song in my being.

When the show concluded, the scores came in, and I had tied with the winner from Japan, a competitor known as Sudo-chan – it was occasion for an tiebreaker. We faced off to Sweet Child o’ Mine by Guns N’ Roses. Once the track began, I felt relieved because it was one that I knew, and primarily I was so thrilled to play again. When they announced I’d won, the area exploded.

My memory is blurry. I think I zoned out from shock. Then everyone started chanting the classic tune the anthem Rockin' in the Free World and hoisted me on to their arms. One of the greats – AKA his performer title – a previous titleholder and one of my best pals, was embracing me. I cried. I was Finland’s first air guitar international titleholder in two and a half decades. The earlier winner from Finland, the former champion, was there, too. He offered me the biggest hug and said it was “finally happening”.

The air guitar community is like a family. Our motto is “Focus on fun, not fighting”. Though it appears comical, but it’s a real philosophy. Participants come from many countries, and all involved is positive and uplifting. Before you go on stage, all participants offers an embrace. Then for 60 seconds you’re free to be uninhibited, humorous, the top performer in the world.

Besides that, I'm a drummer and string player in a band with my sibling called the band name, named after the sports figure, as we’re inspired by UK rock and post-punk. I’ve been serving drinks for a couple of years, and I produce short films and song visuals. The victory hasn’t altered my routine significantly but I’ve been doing a lot of press, and I aspire it results in more artistic projects. Oulu will be a European capital of culture the coming year, so there are great prospects.

At present, I’m just grateful: for the network, for the ability to compete, and for that young child who picked up a newspaper and thought, “That's for me.”