🔗 Share this article

At the age of 10, I came across a feature in my hometown newspaper about the Air Guitar World Championships, that happens every year in my hometown of Oulu, Finland. My family had volunteered at the pioneering contest since 1996 – my mother gave out flyers, dad managed the music. From that point, national championships have been staged in many nations, with the titleholders assembling in Oulu each August.

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

During childhood, I was always miming air guitar, acting out to the biggest rock tunes with my make-believe instrument. Mom and Dad were music fans – dad loved Springsteen and the Irish rock band. AC/DC was the first band I stumbled upon myself. Angus Young, the guitar hero, was my idol.

When I stepped on stage, I played my set to the band's that classic track. The spectators started chanting “Angus”, reminiscent of the album track, and it hit me: this is what it feels like to be a rock star. I advanced to the last round, performing to a large audience in Oulu’s market square, and I was hooked. I got the nickname “Little Angus” that day.

Then I took a break. I was a judge one year, and opened for the show once more, but I didn't participate. I came back at 18, experimented with various stage names, but everyone still referred to me as “Little Angus” so I accepted it fully and choose “The Angus” as my performance alias. I’ve made it to the final every year since 2022, and in 2023 I placed second, so I was set to win this year.

Our global network is like a support system. Our guiding principle is ‘Create music, not conflict’. It sounds silly, but it’s a real philosophy.

The contest is high-energy yet fun. Contestants have a short window to put their all – explosive energy, precise mimicry, rock star charisma – on an imaginary instrument. The panel evaluate you on a scale from 4.0 to 6.0. If scores are equal, there’s an “air-off” between the final two contestants: a track is selected and you freestyle.

Preparation is everything. I selected an Avenged Sevenfold song for my routine. I played it repeatedly for weeks. I practiced flexibility, trying to get my lower body flexible enough to jump, my fingers fast enough to mimic solos and my back set for those gestures and hops. By the time the event came, I could internalize the track in my soul.

When the show concluded, the scores came in, and I had tied with the titleholder from Japan, Yuta “Sudo-chan” Sudo – it was occasion for an tiebreaker. We faced off to the Guns N’ Roses hit by the iconic band. When I heard the song, I felt at ease because it was a tune I recognized, and primarily I was so thrilled to play again. Once the results were read I’d emerged victorious, the square went wild.

My memory is blurry. I think I blacked out from surprise. Then everyone started performing the classic tune that well-known track and lifted me on to their backs. A former champion – alias his performer title – a former champion and one of my closest friends, was holding me. I shed tears. I was Finland’s first air guitar international titleholder in two and a half decades. The earlier winner from Finland, Markus “Black Raven” Vainionpää, was in attendance as well. He bestowed upon me the warmest embrace and said it was “long overdue”.

This worldwide group is like a close-knit group. Our motto is “Focus on fun, not fighting”. It sounds silly, but it’s a real philosophy. Competitors come from all over the world, and everyone is helpful and motivating. Prior to performing, all participants offers an embrace. Then for a brief period you’re able to be uninhibited, humorous, the ultimate music icon in the world.

I’m also a percussionist and string player in a group with my brother called the group title, inspired by the sports figure, as we’re influenced by British music genres. I’ve been working in bars for a few years now, and I create independent videos and music videos. The title hasn’t affected my daily activities significantly but I’ve been doing a extensive media, and I aspire it results in more innovative opportunities. The city will be a designated cultural center the coming year, so there are promising opportunities.

At present, I’m just appreciative: for the group, for the opportunity to play, and for that young child who picked up a newspaper and thought, “I'd love to try that.”