🔗 Share this article

Back when I was 10, I read about a article in my hometown newspaper about the Global Air Guitar Contest, that happens every year in my birthplace of Oulu, Finland. Mom and Dad had helped out at the pioneering contest starting from 1996 – my mum handed out flyers, my father managed the music. Since then, country-level contests have been staged in many nations, with the titleholders assembling in Oulu annually.

At the time, I inquired with my family if I could enter. They weren't sure at first; the show was in a bar, and there would be an older crowd. They thought it might be an overwhelming atmosphere, but I was determined.

As a kid, I was always performing air guitar, miming along to the most popular rock tunes with my make-believe instrument. Mom and Dad were enthusiasts – dad loved Bruce Springsteen and U2. AC/DC was the original act I stumbled upon myself. the lead guitarist, the frontman guitarist, was my hero.

Upon entering the spotlight, I performed my act to the band's that classic track. The audience started yelling “Angus”, just like the album track, and it hit me: so this is to be a guitar hero. I made it to the finals, competing to crowds in Oulu’s market square, and I was addicted. I was dubbed “Little Angus” that day.

Later I paused. I was a judge one year, and opened for the show once more, but I stayed out of the contest. I went back at 18, experimented with various stage names, but people kept calling me “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 set to claim victory this year.

Our global network is like a family. Our motto is ‘Make air, not war’. Though it appears humorous, but it’s a true ethos.

The contest is high-energy yet fun. Participants have one minute to deliver maximum effort – high-powered performance, precise mimicry, rock star charisma – on an imaginary instrument. Judges score you on a point range from four to six. If scores are equal, there’s an “air-off” between the remaining participants: a tune begins and you create on the spot.

Preparation is everything. I chose an the band Avenged Sevenfold song for my act. I listened to it on a loop for multiple weeks. I did regular stretches, trying to get my legs flexible enough to jump, my fingers quick enough to imitate guitar parts and my upper body set for those gestures and hops. By the time the event arrived, I could internalize the track in my being.

When the show concluded, the scores came in, and I had matched with the titleholder from Japan, a competitor known as Sudo-chan – it was moment for an tiebreaker. We faced off to the Guns N’ Roses hit by Guns N’ Roses. When I heard the song, I felt relieved because it was a tune I recognized, and above all I was so eager to perform one more time. Once the results were read I’d won, the area erupted.

The moment is hazy. I think I blacked out from surprise. Then all present started chanting the classic tune Rockin’ in the Free World and raised me up on to their arms. Justin Howard – alias his stage name – a former champion and one of my closest friends, was embracing me. I wept. I was the inaugural from Finland air guitar world champion in two and a half decades. 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 “Create music, not conflict”. It may seem humorous, but it’s a genuine belief. Competitors come from all over the world, and each person is helpful and motivating. As you prepare to compete, every competitor offers an embrace. Then for 60 seconds you’re able to be uninhibited, playful, the biggest rock star in the world.

I’m also a drummer and musician in a musical act with my family member called the group title, referencing the sports figure, as we’re influenced by Britpop and new wave. I’ve been bartending for a few years now, and I produce short films and song visuals. The victory hasn’t altered my routine too much but I’ve been doing a many interviews, and I aspire it brings more innovative opportunities. The city will be a cultural hub soon, so there are great prospects.

Currently, I’m just grateful: for the network, for the opportunity to play, and for that budding enthusiast who found a story and thought, “That's for me.”