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At the age of 10, I discovered a article in my community gazette about the World Air Guitar Competition, that happens every year in my hometown of Oulu, Finland. Mom and Dad had helped out at the inaugural contest since 1996 – my mum distributed flyers, dad sorted the music. From that point, national championships have been organized globally, with the champions gathering in Oulu annually.

Initially, I asked my parents if I could compete. Initially they had doubts; the event was in a bar, and there would be an older crowd. They believed it might be an intimidating atmosphere, but I was set on it.

As a kid, I was always miming air guitar, pretending to play to the biggest rock tunes with my imaginary instrument. My family were music fans – my father loved The Boss and the Irish rock band. the Australian rockers was the initial group I discovered on my own. Angus Young, the frontman guitarist, was my idol.

Upon entering the spotlight, I played my set to the band's the song Whole Lotta Rosie. The audience started shouting “Angus”, just like the live recording, and it hit me: this is what it feels like to be a rock star. I reached the championship, competing to a large audience in the town square, and I was addicted. I earned the moniker “Little Angus” that day.

Then I took a break. I was a referee one year, and opened for the show another time, but I didn’t compete. I went back at 18, experimented with various stage names, but everyone still referred to me as “Little Angus” so I decided to own it and make “The Angus” as my stage name. I’ve qualified for the last round annually from 2022 onward, and in 2023 I was the runner-up, so I was determined to take the title this year.

The worldwide group is like a close-knit group. The saying we live by is ‘Make air, not war’. It sounds silly, but it’s a true ethos.

The contest is intense but joyful. Participants have 60 seconds to deliver maximum effort – dynamic presence, flawless imitation, performance charm – on an nonexistent axe. The panel evaluate you on a point range from a specific numeric range. If scores are equal, there’s an “tiebreaker” between the last two competitors: a song plays and you create on the spot.

Preparation is everything. I chose an Avenged Sevenfold song for my routine. I played it repeatedly for weeks. I did regular stretches, trying to get my lower body prepared enough to bound, my digits quick enough to imitate guitar parts and my upper body prepared for those gestures and hops. By the time the event came, I could feel the song in my soul.

When the show concluded, the results were tallied, and I had matched with the Japanese champion, the Japanese titleholder – it was occasion for an final showdown. We faced off to that classic rock anthem by Guns N’ Roses. Once the track began, I felt comforted because it was one that I knew, and above all I was so thrilled to have another go. As they declared I’d won, the venue erupted.

The moment is hazy. I think I blacked out from shock. Then the crowd started chanting the classic tune that well-known track and lifted me on to their arms. Justin Howard – also known as his stage name – a previous titleholder and one of my best pals, was hugging me. I cried. I was the first Finnish air guitar international titleholder in a quarter-century. The prior titleholder, Markus “Black Raven” Vainionpää, was also present. He gave me the most heartfelt squeeze and said it was “finally happening”.

This worldwide group is like a support system. Our guiding saying is “Create music, not conflict”. Though it appears comical, but it’s a genuine belief. Competitors come from globally, and all involved is positive and uplifting. Before you go on stage, every competitor comes and hugs you. Then for a brief period you’re able to be free, humorous, the biggest rock star in the world.

Additionally, I am a drummer and string player in a musical act with my sibling called the band name, inspired by 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 mini movies and performance clips. Winning hasn’t affected my daily activities significantly but I’ve been doing a extensive media, and I hope it brings more artistic projects. My hometown will be a European capital of culture the coming year, so there are exciting things ahead.

At present, I’m just grateful: for the group, for the chance to perform, and for that budding enthusiast who picked up a newspaper and thought, “I want to do that.”