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Back when I was 10, I came across a article in my local paper about the Global Air Guitar Contest, that happens every year in my hometown of Oulu, Finland. Mom and Dad had helped out at the inaugural contest starting from 1996 – my mum handed out flyers, dad managed the music. From that point, domestic competitions have been staged all across the world, with the titleholders gathering in Oulu every summer.

At the time, I asked my parents if I could compete. They weren't sure at first; the competition was in a bar, and there would be many grown-ups. They thought it might be an overwhelming atmosphere, but I was set on it.

As a kid, I was always “playing” air guitar, acting out to the iconic rock tunes with my invisible instrument. My parents were lovers of music – dad loved The Boss and the Irish rock band. the band AC/DC was the first band I found independently. the lead guitarist, the frontman guitarist, was my inspiration.

As I took the stage, I performed my act to the band's Whole Lotta Rosie. The audience started chanting “Angus”, just like the album track, and it hit me: this must be to be a rock star. I reached the championship, performing to hundreds of people in the town square, and I was captivated. I was dubbed “Little Angus” that day.

After that I stopped. I was a adjudicator one year, and opened for the show on another occasion, but I didn't participate. I went back at 18, tried a few different stage names, but fans continued using “Little Angus” so I decided to own it and adopt “The Angus” as my stage name. I’ve made it to the final annually from 2022 onward, and in 2023 I came second, so I was determined to claim victory this year.

The air guitar community is like a family. Our guiding principle is ‘Make air, not war’. Though it appears humorous, but it’s a genuine belief.

The competition itself is high-energy yet fun. Participants have a short window to give everything – explosive energy, perfect mime, rock star charisma – on an imaginary instrument. Judges rate you on a grading system from four to six. When it's a draw, there’s an “showdown” between the last two competitors: a song plays and you freestyle.

Preparation is everything. I selected an the band Avenged Sevenfold song for my routine. I played it repeatedly for a long time. I stretched constantly, trying to get my lower body prepared enough to leap, my hands quick enough to mimic solos and my back set for those bends and jumps. Once the big day came, I could sense the music in my bones.

Once all acts were done, the results were tallied, and I had matched with the winner from Japan, a competitor known as Sudo-chan – it was occasion for an tiebreaker. We faced off to that classic rock anthem by Guns N’ Roses. Once the track began, I felt relieved because it was one that I knew, and primarily I was so eager to perform one more time. As they declared I’d emerged victorious, the venue erupted.

My memory is blurry. I think I blacked out from the excitement. Then everyone started performing the classic tune the anthem Rockin' in the Free World and raised me up on to their arms. One of the greats – alias his performer title – a former champion and one of my dear companions, was holding me. I wept. I was the first Finnish air guitar international titleholder in a quarter-century. The prior titleholder, Markus “Black Raven” Vainionpää, was also present. He offered me the most heartfelt squeeze and said it was “about damn time”.

The air guitar community is like a close-knit group. Our motto is “Focus on fun, not fighting”. Though it appears comical, but it’s a true way of life. Competitors come from globally, and everyone is positive and uplifting. As you prepare to compete, all participants offers an embrace. Then for a brief period you’re able to be free, silly, the top performer in the world.

I’m also a percussionist and guitarist in a musical act with my family member called the group title, named after Gareth Southgate, as we’re inspired by UK rock and post-punk. I’ve been working in bars for a short time, and I direct short films and music videos. The title hasn’t affected my daily activities too much but I’ve been doing a lot of press, and I wish it results in more artistic projects. The city will be a European capital of culture next year, so there are promising opportunities.

At present, I’m just grateful: for the group, for the ability to compete, and for that budding enthusiast who found a story and thought, “I want to do that.”