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At the age of 10, I discovered a article in my hometown newspaper about the Air Guitar World Championships, which take place every year in my hometown of Oulu, Finland. My parents had participated at the pioneering contest back in 1996 – my mum gave out flyers, dad managed the music. Since then, domestic competitions have been organized all across the world, with the winners converging in Oulu every summer.

At the time, I inquired with my family if I could compete. Initially they had doubts; the show was in a bar, and there would be a lot of adults. They felt it might be an overwhelming atmosphere, but I was determined.

In my youth, I was always performing air guitar, acting out to the biggest rock tunes with my invisible instrument. Mom and Dad were music fans – dad loved The Boss and the Irish rock band. the band AC/DC was the original act I found independently. the lead guitarist, the lead guitarist, was my hero.

Upon entering the spotlight, I did my routine to the band's Whole Lotta Rosie. The spectators started shouting “Angus”, reminiscent of the album track, and it hit me: so this is to be a rock star. I advanced to the last round, competing to hundreds of people in the town square, and I was captivated. I got the nickname “Little Angus” that day.

After that I stopped. I was a judge one year, and kicked off the show once more, but I didn’t compete. I returned at 18, tried a few different stage names, but people kept calling me “Little Angus” so I accepted it fully and adopt “The Angus” as my artist name. I’ve qualified for the last round every year since 2022, and in 2023 I placed second, so I was set to claim victory this year.

Our global network is like a support system. Our motto is ‘Play air guitar, avoid battles’. Though it appears humorous, but it’s a genuine belief.

The competition itself is competitive but uplifting. Competitors have 60 seconds to put their all – explosive energy, perfect mime, rock star charisma – on an imaginary instrument. The panel evaluate you on a grading system from 4.0 to 6.0. If scores are equal, there’s an “showdown” between the remaining participants: a track is selected and you improvise.

Getting ready is key. I chose an the band Avenged Sevenfold song for my routine. I listened to it on a loop for a long time. I practiced flexibility, trying to get my limbs flexible enough to jump, my fingers nimble enough to copy riffs and my upper body ready for those moves and leaps. Once competition day came, I could sense the music in my soul.

After everyone had performed, the results were tallied, and I had drawn with the titleholder from Japan, a competitor known as Sudo-chan – it was moment for an tiebreaker. We faced off to Sweet Child o’ Mine by Guns N’ Roses. When I heard the song, I felt at ease because it was a tune I recognized, and primarily I was so excited to play again. Once the results were read I’d emerged victorious, the venue went wild.

My memory is blurry. I think I lost consciousness from the excitement. Then everyone started chanting the song that well-known track and hoisted me on to their backs. A former champion – alias 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 a quarter-century. The earlier winner from Finland, the earlier victor, was there, too. He gave me the most heartfelt squeeze and said it was “finally happening”.

This worldwide group is like a family. The phrase we live by is “Make air, not war”. Though it appears comical, but it’s a true way of life. People come from globally, and everyone 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, playful, the biggest rock star in the world.

Besides that, I'm a beat keeper and musician in a musical act with my brother called the Southgates, named after the football manager, as we’re fans of British music genres. I’ve been bartending for a short time, and I direct independent videos and music videos. Winning hasn’t changed my day-to-day life drastically but I’ve been doing a many interviews, and I hope it brings more innovative opportunities. Oulu will be a designated cultural center the coming year, so there are promising opportunities.

At present, I’m just grateful: for the community, for the chance to perform, and for that little kid who found a story and thought, “I want to do that.”