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At the age of 10, I came across a story in my hometown newspaper about the Global Air Guitar Contest, held annually every year in my birthplace of Oulu, Finland. Mom and Dad had participated at the inaugural contest starting from 1996 – my mum handed out flyers, dad managed the music. From that point, country-level contests have been organized all across the world, with the titleholders converging in Oulu annually.

Back then, I asked my parents if I could enter. At first they were hesitant; the competition was in a bar, and there would be an older crowd. They felt it might be an overwhelming atmosphere, but I was determined.

In my youth, I was always “playing” air guitar, pretending to play to the biggest rock tunes with my imaginary instrument. My parents were enthusiasts – dad loved Springsteen and U2. the band AC/DC was the first band I stumbled upon myself. the lead guitarist, the frontman guitarist, was my inspiration.

Upon entering the spotlight, I performed my act to the band's that classic track. The crowd started shouting “Angus”, similar to the concert version, and it hit me: this is what it feels like to be a music icon. I made it to the finals, competing to a large audience in the public plaza, and I was addicted. I earned the moniker “Little Angus” that day.

After that I stopped. I was a judge one year, and kicked off the show on another occasion, but I didn’t compete. I returned at 18, tried a few different stage names, but fans continued using “Little Angus” so I embraced it and adopt “The Angus” as my stage name. I’ve reached the finals every year since 2022, and in 2023 I was the runner-up, so I was set to win this year.

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

The event is intense but joyful. Participants have a short window to deliver maximum effort – explosive energy, precise mimicry, stage magnetism – on an nonexistent axe. Adjudicators score you on a point range from a specific numeric range. When it's a draw, there’s an “showdown” between the final two contestants: a tune begins and you freestyle.

Training is crucial. I selected an Avenged Sevenfold song for my performance. I played it repeatedly for weeks. I practiced flexibility, trying to get my lower body flexible enough to leap, my digits fast enough to mimic solos and my back prepared 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 drawn with the titleholder from Japan, a competitor known as Sudo-chan – it was time for an final showdown. We faced off to the Guns N’ Roses hit by the iconic band. When I heard the song, I felt comforted because it was familiar to me, and above all I was so eager to play again. Once the results were read I’d emerged victorious, the square exploded.

It's all a bit fuzzy. I think I zoned out from shock. Then all present started chanting the song Rockin’ in the Free World and raised me up on to their backs. A former champion – AKA his performer title – a past winner and one of my closest friends, was holding me. I wept. I was the inaugural from Finland air guitar global winner in a quarter-century. The earlier winner from Finland, the former champion, was there, too. He offered me the most heartfelt squeeze and said it was “about damn time”.

Our global network is like a close-knit group. Our guiding saying is “Create music, not conflict”. It may seem humorous, but it’s a genuine belief. People come from all over the world, and all involved is positive and uplifting. Before you go on stage, all participants comes and hugs you. Then for one minute you’re free to be uninhibited, playful, the biggest rock star in the world.

Additionally, I am a drummer and musician in a musical act with my sibling called the band name, named after Gareth Southgate, as we’re inspired by Britpop and new wave. I’ve been bartending for a couple of years, and I direct short films and music videos. Winning hasn’t altered my routine too much but I’ve been doing a many interviews, and I wish it leads to more creative work. The city will be a European capital of culture soon, so there are exciting things ahead.

Currently, I’m just appreciative: for the network, for the ability to compete, and for that budding enthusiast who picked up a newspaper and thought, “I want to do that.”