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At the age of 10, I came across a article in my local paper about the Global Air Guitar Contest, which take place every year in my birthplace of Oulu, Finland. My family had participated at the pioneering contest back in 1996 – my mother gave out flyers, my dad managed the music. Since then, country-level contests have been organized in many nations, with the champions gathering in Oulu every summer.

At the time, I inquired with my family if I could compete. They weren't sure at first; the event was in a bar, and there would be a lot of adults. They felt it might be an overwhelming atmosphere, but I was set on it.

In my youth, I was always “playing” air guitar, miming along to the iconic rock tunes with my imaginary instrument. My parents were music fans – my dad loved Bruce Springsteen and U2. the Australian rockers was the initial group I stumbled upon myself. Angus Young, the lead guitarist, was my inspiration.

Upon entering the spotlight, I performed my act to AC/DC’s Whole Lotta Rosie. The spectators started shouting “Angus”, reminiscent of the concert version, and it hit me: this is what it feels like to be a rock star. I advanced to the last round, competing to hundreds of people in Oulu’s market square, and I was captivated. I earned the moniker “Little Angus” that day.

Later I paused. I was a judge one year, and started the show on another occasion, but I didn't participate. I came back at 18, tested out several stage names, but fans continued using “Little Angus” so I decided to own it and adopt “The Angus” as my artist name. I’ve reached the finals annually from 2022 onward, and in 2023 I was the runner-up, so I was resolved to claim victory this year.

The worldwide group is like a support system. Our guiding principle is ‘Create music, not conflict’. Though it appears humorous, but it’s a true ethos.

The contest is intense but joyful. Competitors have one minute to give everything – high-powered performance, perfect mime, rock star charisma – on an imaginary instrument. Adjudicators rate you on a point range from a specific numeric range. If scores are equal, there’s an “tiebreaker” between the final two contestants: a song plays and you improvise.

Preparation is everything. I selected an the band Avenged Sevenfold song for my performance. I had it on repeat for multiple weeks. I stretched constantly, trying to get my lower body loose enough to jump, my fingers nimble enough to imitate guitar parts and my back set for those moves and leaps. By the time the event came, I could sense the music in my being.

Once all acts were done, the results were tallied, and I had drawn with the Japanese champion, Yuta “Sudo-chan” Sudo – it was occasion for an air-off. We went head-to-head to Sweet Child o’ Mine by the iconic band. When I heard the song, I felt relieved because it was familiar to me, and above all I was so eager to play again. Once the results were read I’d won, the venue went wild.

It's all a bit fuzzy. I think I lost consciousness from the excitement. Then the crowd started performing the song that well-known track and raised me up on to their arms. Justin Howard – AKA his performer title – a former champion and one of my dear companions, was embracing me. I wept. I was Finland’s first air guitar global winner in two and a half decades. The earlier winner from Finland, Markus “Black Raven” Vainionpää, was also present. He gave me the most heartfelt squeeze and said it was “long overdue”.

Our global network is like a support system. Our motto is “Create music, not conflict”. It may seem humorous, but it’s a true way of life. Participants come from globally, and each person is helpful and motivating. Before you go on stage, all participants comes and hugs you. Then for one minute you’re free to be free, humorous, the top performer in the world.

I’m also a percussionist and guitarist in a musical act with my brother called the band name, referencing the football manager, as we’re inspired by British music genres. I’ve been serving drinks for a few years now, and I produce short films and performance clips. Winning hasn’t changed my day-to-day life drastically but I’ve been doing a lot of press, and I hope it leads to more artistic projects. Oulu will be a European capital of culture the coming year, so there are great prospects.

Currently, I’m just thankful: for the group, for the chance to perform, and for that budding enthusiast who read an article and thought, “That's for me.”