🔗 Share this article

At the age of 10, I came across a story in my community gazette about the Global Air Guitar Contest, which take place every year in my birthplace of Oulu, Finland. My parents had helped out at the very first contest back in 1996 – mom handed out flyers, dad organized the music. From that point, country-level contests have been held all across the world, with the titleholders assembling in Oulu annually.

Initially, I inquired with my family if I could compete. At first they were hesitant; the competition was in a bar, and there would be many grown-ups. They thought it might be an overwhelming atmosphere, but I was determined.

In my youth, I was always “playing” air guitar, pretending to play to the iconic rock tunes with my imaginary instrument. My family were music fans – my father loved Bruce Springsteen and the Irish rock band. the band AC/DC was the initial group I discovered on my own. the guitarist, the lead guitarist, was my inspiration.

When I stepped on stage, I played my set to AC/DC’s that classic track. The crowd started chanting “Angus”, reminiscent of the album track, and it struck me: this is what it feels like to be a rock star. I reached the championship, playing to crowds in the public plaza, and I was addicted. I was dubbed “Little Angus” that day.

After that I stopped. I was a referee one year, and kicked off 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 accepted it fully and choose “The Angus” as my stage name. I’ve reached the finals each competition since then, and in 2023 I came second, so I was resolved to take the title this year.

The air guitar community is like a close-knit group. The saying we live by is ‘Play air guitar, avoid battles’. Though it appears humorous, but it’s a real philosophy.

The event is intense but joyful. Contestants have 60 seconds to put their all – explosive energy, perfect mime, stage magnetism – on an imaginary instrument. Adjudicators rate you on a scale from a specific numeric range. In the case of a tie, there’s an “air-off” between the remaining participants: a song plays and you freestyle.

Preparation is everything. I picked an a metal group song for my performance. I had it on repeat for multiple weeks. I did regular stretches, trying to get my legs flexible enough to leap, my digits fast enough to copy riffs and my spine prepared for those gestures and hops. By the time the event arrived, I could feel the song in my bones.

Once all acts were done, the scores came in, and I had drawn with the Japanese champion, a competitor known as Sudo-chan – it was moment for an air-off. We went head-to-head to Sweet Child o’ Mine by the rock group. When I heard the song, I felt relieved because it was a tune I recognized, and more than anything I was so eager to perform one more time. As they declared I’d won, the area went wild.

My memory is blurry. I think I zoned out from surprise. Then all present started singing the song Rockin’ in the Free World and hoisted me on to their backs. A former champion – alias his performer title – a past winner and one of my dear companions, was embracing me. I shed tears. I was the first Finnish air guitar world champion in a quarter-century. The earlier winner from Finland, Markus “Black Raven” Vainionpää, was also present. He bestowed upon me the biggest hug and said it was “long overdue”.

Our global network is like a family. Our guiding saying is “Focus on fun, not fighting”. It sounds silly, but it’s a true way of life. Competitors come from many countries, and all involved is supportive and encouraging. Before you go on stage, each contestant offers an embrace. Then for one minute you’re free to be uninhibited, humorous, the top performer in the world.

Additionally, I am a beat keeper and musician in a band with my brother called the Southgates, inspired by the football manager, as we’re inspired by UK rock and post-punk. I’ve been working in bars for a short time, and I produce mini movies and music videos. Winning hasn’t affected my daily activities too much but I’ve been doing a extensive media, and I aspire it brings more artistic projects. The city will be a European capital of culture next year, so there are promising opportunities.

For now, I’m just appreciative: for the network, for the chance to perform, and for that young child who picked up a newspaper and thought, “I want to do that.”