🔗 Share this article

At the age of 10, I came across a feature in my local paper about the World Air Guitar Competition, held annually every year in my hometown of Oulu, Finland. Mom and Dad had participated at the inaugural contest starting from 1996 – mom distributed flyers, dad sorted the music. Ever since, country-level contests have been held all across the world, with the champions assembling in Oulu each August.

At the time, I requested permission if I could enter. Initially they had doubts; the show was in a bar, and there would be an older crowd. They thought it might be an daunting atmosphere, but I was set on it.

As a kid, I was always performing air guitar, pretending to play to the most popular rock tunes with my make-believe instrument. Mom and Dad were lovers of music – my dad loved Springsteen and the Irish rock band. the band AC/DC was the first band I stumbled upon myself. the guitarist, the lead guitarist, was my inspiration.

When I stepped on stage, I did my routine to the band's that classic track. The audience started chanting “Angus”, similar to the concert version, and it dawned on me: so this is to be a rock star. I reached the championship, competing to hundreds of people in Oulu’s market square, and I was addicted. I was dubbed “Little Angus” that day.

Then I took a break. I was a adjudicator one year, and opened for the show once more, but I didn't participate. I went back at 18, tested out several stage names, but fans continued using “Little Angus” so I embraced it and make “The Angus” as my performance alias. I’ve made it to the final annually from 2022 onward, and in 2023 I was the runner-up, so I was set to take the title this year.

The air guitar community is like a support system. The saying we live by is ‘Play air guitar, avoid battles’. It may seem funny, but it’s a genuine belief.

The contest is intense but joyful. Competitors have one minute to deliver maximum effort – high-powered performance, flawless imitation, performance charm – on an imaginary instrument. Adjudicators evaluate you on a point range from a specific numeric range. When it's a draw, there’s an “tiebreaker” between the final two contestants: a tune begins and you improvise.

Getting ready is key. I chose an Avenged Sevenfold song for my performance. I listened to it on a loop for multiple weeks. I practiced flexibility, trying to get my legs flexible enough to jump, my fingers quick enough to imitate guitar parts and my spine ready for those bends and jumps. Once the event dawned, I could sense the music in my being.

When the show concluded, the points were announced, and I had drawn with the titleholder from Japan, the Japanese titleholder – it was time for an final showdown. We faced off to the Guns N’ Roses hit by the rock group. Once the track began, I felt comforted because it was one that I knew, and above all I was so excited to perform one more time. As they declared I’d emerged victorious, the area exploded.

The moment is hazy. I think I blacked out from surprise. Then all present started singing the classic tune Rockin’ in the Free World and hoisted me on to their arms. A former champion – alias his performer title – a past winner and one of my closest friends, was holding me. I cried. I was the inaugural from Finland air guitar international titleholder in a quarter-century. The earlier winner from Finland, the former champion, was there, too. He bestowed upon me the warmest embrace and said it was “about damn time”.

This worldwide group is like a family. Our guiding saying is “Focus on fun, not fighting”. Though it appears comical, but it’s a true way of life. Participants come from all over the world, and all involved is supportive and encouraging. Prior to performing, every competitor shows support. Then for 60 seconds you’re able to be yourself, humorous, the top performer in the world.

Besides that, I'm a percussionist and musician in a band with my brother called the band name, referencing the football manager, as we’re influenced by British music genres. I’ve been bartending for a few years now, and I create short films and music videos. The victory hasn’t affected my daily activities significantly but I’ve been doing a many interviews, and I aspire it results in more artistic projects. The city will be a European capital of culture next year, so there are promising opportunities.

For now, I’m just thankful: for the community, for the chance to perform, and for that young child who picked up a newspaper and thought, “I'd love to try that.”