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At the age of 10, I read about a story in my hometown newspaper about the Air Guitar World Championships, that happens every year in my native city of Oulu, Finland. Mom and Dad had helped out at the inaugural contest back in 1996 – my mum distributed flyers, my father sorted the music. Since then, national championships have been held globally, with the champions converging in Oulu every summer.

At the time, I asked my parents if I could participate. They weren't sure at first; the event was in a bar, and there would be an older crowd. They believed it might be an intimidating atmosphere, but I was determined.

In my youth, I was always “playing” air guitar, acting out to the iconic rock tunes with my imaginary instrument. My parents were enthusiasts – dad loved The Boss and U2. the Australian rockers was the original act I discovered on my own. the lead guitarist, the frontman guitarist, was my hero.

As I took the stage, I played my set to the band's the song Whole Lotta Rosie. The audience started chanting “Angus”, reminiscent of the album track, and it dawned on me: this must be to be a rock star. I advanced to the last round, performing to hundreds of people in Oulu’s market square, and I was captivated. I was dubbed “Little Angus” that day.

Then I took a break. I was a referee one year, and kicked off the show once more, but I stayed out of the contest. I came back at 18, tried a few different stage names, but fans continued using “Little Angus” so I embraced it and adopt “The Angus” as my artist 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 support system. Our guiding principle is ‘Create music, not conflict’. It sounds silly, but it’s a genuine belief.

The event is intense but joyful. Competitors have 60 seconds to deliver maximum effort – explosive energy, flawless imitation, rock star charisma – on an invisible guitar. Judges evaluate you on a scale from 4.0 to 6.0. In the case of a tie, there’s an “tiebreaker” 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 a long time. I stretched constantly, trying to get my limbs flexible enough to jump, my hands quick enough to mimic solos and my upper body set for those moves and leaps. Once the big day came, I could internalize the track in my bones.

When the show concluded, the results were tallied, and I had tied with the winner from Japan, the Japanese titleholder – it was occasion for an tiebreaker. We faced off to the Guns N’ Roses hit by Guns N’ Roses. As the music started, I felt relieved because it was familiar to me, and primarily I was so excited to have another go. As they declared I’d triumphed, the area exploded.

My memory is blurry. I think I lost consciousness from the excitement. Then all present started chanting the classic tune the anthem Rockin' in the Free World and raised me up on to their arms. A former champion – AKA his performer title – a past winner and one of my closest friends, was embracing me. I cried. I was Finland’s first air guitar world champion in two and a half decades. The earlier winner from Finland, the earlier victor, was there, too. He gave me the biggest hug and said it was “finally happening”.

The air guitar community is like a close-knit group. Our motto is “Focus on fun, not fighting”. It may seem humorous, but it’s a genuine belief. Competitors come from globally, and each person is positive and uplifting. Before you go on stage, each contestant shows support. Then for a brief period you’re free to be uninhibited, silly, the biggest rock star in the world.

Additionally, I am a drummer and string player in a group with my brother called the Southgates, inspired by the sports figure, as we’re fans of British music genres. I’ve been serving drinks for a short time, and I direct mini movies and performance clips. The title hasn’t affected my daily activities significantly but I’ve been doing a many interviews, and I hope it results in more artistic projects. Oulu will be a designated cultural center next year, so there are promising opportunities.

At present, I’m just appreciative: for the community, for the ability to compete, and for that young child who found a story and thought, “I'd love to try that.”