🔗 Share this article

When I was just 10, I read about a feature in my local paper about the Air Guitar World Championships, held annually every year in my hometown of Oulu, Finland. Mom and Dad had helped out at the inaugural contest since 1996 – mom handed out flyers, dad managed the music. Since then, country-level contests have been organized all across the world, with the champions assembling in Oulu every summer.

Initially, I inquired with my family if I could participate. Initially they had doubts; the show was in a bar, and there would be many grown-ups. They thought it might be an daunting atmosphere, but I was set on it.

During childhood, I was always “playing” air guitar, pretending to play to the most popular rock tunes with my invisible instrument. My parents were enthusiasts – dad loved The Boss and U2. the Australian rockers was the original act I stumbled upon myself. the guitarist, the frontman guitarist, was my hero.

As I took the stage, I played my set to AC/DC’s the song Whole Lotta Rosie. The crowd started yelling “Angus”, just like the album track, and it hit me: this must be to be a music icon. I reached the championship, competing to crowds in Oulu’s market square, and I was hooked. I was dubbed “Little Angus” that day.

Later I paused. 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, experimented with various stage names, but fans continued using “Little Angus” so I decided to own it and choose “The Angus” as my performance alias. I’ve qualified for the last round each competition since then, and in 2023 I placed second, so I was set to win this year.

The worldwide group is like a family. Our motto is ‘Create music, not conflict’. It may seem funny, but it’s a real philosophy.

The contest is high-energy yet fun. Participants have one minute to give everything – dynamic presence, precise mimicry, stage magnetism – on an nonexistent axe. Adjudicators score you on a point range from 4.0 to 6.0. When it's a draw, there’s an “air-off” between the remaining participants: a track is selected and you freestyle.

Training is crucial. I chose an the band Avenged Sevenfold song for my routine. I played it repeatedly for a long time. I stretched constantly, trying to get my limbs prepared enough to jump, my hands fast enough to copy riffs and my back set for those moves and leaps. When the big day came, I could feel the song in my being.

When the show concluded, the results were tallied, and I had tied with the Japanese champion, the Japanese titleholder – it was occasion for an final showdown. We faced off to Sweet Child o’ Mine by the rock group. When I heard the song, I felt comforted because it was familiar to me, and primarily I was so excited to play again. Once the results were read 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 the anthem Rockin' in the Free World and lifted me on to their shoulders. Justin Howard – also known as Nordic Thunder – a former champion and one of my best pals, was holding me. I wept. 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 “finally happening”.

Our global network is like a support system. Our guiding saying is “Make air, not war”. It sounds silly, but it’s a genuine belief. Competitors come from many countries, and each person is helpful and motivating. Before you go on stage, each contestant comes and hugs you. Then for one minute you’re able to be uninhibited, humorous, the ultimate music icon in the world.

Besides that, I'm a percussionist and guitarist in a musical act with my sibling called the group title, named after the sports figure, as we’re fans of British music genres. I’ve been working in bars for a few years now, and I direct mini movies and music videos. Winning hasn’t altered my routine drastically but I’ve been doing a lot of press, and I wish it leads to more artistic projects. The city will be a cultural hub the coming year, so there are exciting things ahead.

For now, I’m just appreciative: for the group, for the ability to compete, and for that budding enthusiast who read an article and thought, “That's for me.”