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At the age of 10, I came across a feature in my local paper about the Global Air Guitar Contest, which take place every year in my birthplace of Oulu, Finland. My parents had volunteered at the inaugural contest since 1996 – mom gave out flyers, my father sorted the music. Since then, domestic competitions have been held globally, with the titleholders gathering in Oulu every summer.

At the time, I asked my parents if I could compete. They weren't sure at first; the competition was in a bar, and there would be many grown-ups. They believed it might be an intimidating atmosphere, but I was set on it.

During childhood, I was always miming air guitar, pretending to play to the biggest rock tunes with my imaginary instrument. My parents were enthusiasts – dad loved Springsteen and U2. the Australian rockers was the first band I stumbled upon myself. the guitarist, the guitar hero, was my idol.

When I stepped on stage, I played my set to AC/DC’s Whole Lotta Rosie. The crowd started yelling “Angus”, similar to the live recording, and it dawned on me: so this is to be a rock star. I advanced to the last round, performing to crowds in the public plaza, and I was addicted. I was dubbed “Little Angus” that day.

Later I paused. I was a referee one year, and started the show on another occasion, but I didn't participate. I came back at 18, tried a few different stage names, but fans continued using “Little Angus” so I accepted it fully and choose “The Angus” as my artist name. I’ve reached the finals annually from 2022 onward, and in 2023 I came second, so I was set to win this year.

Our global network is like a family. The saying we live by is ‘Make air, not war’. Though it appears humorous, but it’s a true ethos.

The event is high-energy yet fun. Contestants have a short window to put their all – high-powered performance, precise mimicry, stage magnetism – on an invisible guitar. Judges score you on a grading system from a specific numeric range. In the case of a tie, there’s an “tiebreaker” between the last two competitors: a song plays and you freestyle.

Preparation is everything. I selected an the band Avenged Sevenfold song for my routine. I had it on repeat for multiple weeks. I stretched constantly, trying to get my legs prepared enough to jump, my hands quick enough to imitate guitar parts and my back ready for those moves and leaps. When the event came, I could internalize the track in my soul.

Once all acts were done, the scores came in, and I had matched with the Japanese champion, the Japanese titleholder – it was time for an tiebreaker. We faced off to that classic rock anthem by Guns N’ Roses. As the music started, I felt at ease because it was one that I knew, and above all I was so excited to perform one more time. When they announced I’d emerged victorious, the area went wild.

It's all a bit fuzzy. I think I blacked out from shock. Then the crowd started chanting the classic tune that well-known track and raised me up on to their arms. A former champion – also known as his performer title – a former champion and one of my best pals, was holding me. I shed tears. I was the inaugural from Finland air guitar international titleholder in two and a half decades. The previous Finnish champion, the earlier victor, was there, too. He bestowed upon me the warmest embrace and said it was “long overdue”.

Our global network is like a family. Our motto is “Focus on fun, not fighting”. Though it appears comical, but it’s a genuine belief. Competitors 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 60 seconds you’re able to be uninhibited, humorous, the biggest rock star in the world.

I’m also a beat keeper and guitarist in a musical act with my brother called the group title, named after the football manager, as we’re fans of British music genres. I’ve been working in bars for a short time, and I direct short films and song visuals. Winning hasn’t affected my daily activities too much but I’ve been doing a extensive media, and I aspire it leads to more creative work. Oulu will be a European capital of culture next year, so there are exciting things ahead.

Currently, I’m just appreciative: for the group, for the opportunity to play, and for that little kid who found a story and thought, “I'd love to try that.”