🔗 Share this article

Back when I was 10, I discovered a article in my local paper about the World Air Guitar Competition, that happens every year in my native city of Oulu, Finland. My family had participated at the pioneering contest back in 1996 – my mum distributed flyers, my dad sorted the music. From that point, country-level contests have been held globally, with the titleholders gathering in Oulu annually.

Initially, I requested permission if I could participate. 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 overwhelming atmosphere, but I was set on it.

In my youth, I was always “playing” air guitar, pretending to play to the most popular rock tunes with my make-believe instrument. My parents were music fans – dad loved The Boss and the Irish rock band. the Australian rockers was the original act I discovered on my own. the lead guitarist, the frontman guitarist, was my idol.

As I took the stage, I performed my act to AC/DC’s the song Whole Lotta Rosie. The crowd started shouting “Angus”, reminiscent of the live recording, and it hit me: this must be to be a music icon. I reached the championship, competing to crowds in the public plaza, and I was hooked. I earned the moniker “Little Angus” that day.

After that I stopped. I was a adjudicator one year, and opened for the show on another occasion, but I stayed out of the contest. I went back at 18, tested out several stage names, but fans continued using “Little Angus” so I decided to own it and adopt “The Angus” as my artist name. I’ve made it to the final each competition since then, and in 2023 I came second, so I was determined to win this year.

Our global network is like a support system. The saying we live by is ‘Create music, not conflict’. It may seem funny, but it’s a true ethos.

The competition itself is competitive but uplifting. Competitors have one minute to put their all – dynamic presence, precise mimicry, rock star charisma – on an nonexistent axe. Adjudicators score you on a scale from 4.0 to 6.0. When it's a draw, there’s an “tiebreaker” between the last two competitors: a tune begins and you create on the spot.

Training is crucial. I chose an the band Avenged Sevenfold song for my performance. I played it repeatedly for multiple weeks. I did regular stretches, trying to get my limbs flexible enough to jump, my hands quick enough to imitate guitar parts and my upper body prepared for those moves and leaps. Once the event came, I could sense the music in my bones.

Once all acts were done, the scores came in, and I had drawn with the winner from Japan, a competitor known as Sudo-chan – it was occasion for an final showdown. We faced off to that classic rock anthem by the iconic band. When I heard the song, I felt comforted because it was familiar to me, and primarily I was so thrilled to have another go. When they announced I’d triumphed, the square went wild.

The moment is hazy. I think I blacked out from shock. Then the crowd started singing Neil Young’s Rockin’ in the Free World and hoisted me on to their arms. Justin Howard – also known as Nordic Thunder – a former champion and one of my closest friends, was hugging me. I cried. I was Finland’s first air guitar world champion in 25 years. The previous Finnish champion, the earlier victor, was in attendance as well. He offered me the biggest hug and said it was “about damn time”.

The air guitar community is like a family. The phrase we live by is “Make air, not war”. Though it appears comical, but it’s a real philosophy. Participants come from all over the world, and each person is positive and uplifting. Before you go on stage, all participants offers an embrace. Then for a brief period you’re able to be uninhibited, humorous, the top performer in the world.

I’m also a percussionist and string player in a group with my family member called the band name, named after Gareth Southgate, as we’re fans of UK rock and post-punk. I’ve been bartending for a couple of years, and I produce mini movies and song visuals. The victory hasn’t changed my day-to-day life too much but I’ve been doing a many interviews, and I hope it leads to more creative work. The city will be a European capital of culture soon, so there are exciting things ahead.

For now, I’m just appreciative: for the network, for the ability to compete, and for that budding enthusiast who read an article and thought, “I want to do that.”