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When I was just 10, I discovered a feature in my community gazette about the Global Air Guitar Contest, that happens every year in my hometown of Oulu, Finland. Mom and Dad had participated at the inaugural contest back in 1996 – my mum distributed flyers, dad sorted the music. Since then, country-level contests have been staged all across the world, with the winners gathering in Oulu each August.

Initially, I inquired with my family if I could enter. Initially they had doubts; the show was in a bar, and there would be many grown-ups. They believed it might be an overwhelming atmosphere, but I was determined.

During childhood, I was always performing air guitar, acting out to the most popular rock tunes with my make-believe instrument. Mom and Dad were enthusiasts – dad loved The Boss and U2. the Australian rockers was the first band I stumbled upon myself. Angus Young, the lead guitarist, was my hero.

When I stepped on stage, I performed my act to AC/DC’s that classic track. The audience started chanting “Angus”, similar to the album track, and it struck me: so this is to be a rock star. I advanced to the last round, performing to a large audience in the town square, and I was hooked. I earned the moniker “Little Angus” that day.

Later I paused. I was a judge one year, and kicked off the show once more, but I didn't participate. I returned at 18, experimented with various stage names, but everyone still referred to me as “Little Angus” so I accepted it fully and choose “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 worldwide group is like a close-knit group. Our motto is ‘Play air guitar, avoid battles’. It may seem funny, but it’s a real philosophy.

The competition itself is intense but joyful. Participants have one minute to deliver maximum effort – explosive energy, flawless imitation, stage magnetism – on an nonexistent axe. Judges rate you on a point range from a specific numeric range. When it's a draw, there’s an “showdown” between the remaining participants: a tune begins and you improvise.

Training is crucial. I selected an Avenged Sevenfold song for my performance. I played it repeatedly for a long time. I stretched constantly, trying to get my legs prepared enough to bound, my hands fast enough to copy riffs and my back ready for those gestures and hops. When the big day came, I could sense the music in my being.

Once all acts were done, the results were tallied, and I had drawn with the winner from Japan, the Japanese titleholder – it was moment for an final showdown. We competed directly to that classic rock anthem by Guns N’ Roses. Once the track began, I felt at ease because it was familiar to me, and more than anything I was so excited to have another go. As they declared I’d emerged victorious, the venue exploded.

It's all a bit fuzzy. I think I lost consciousness from shock. Then the crowd started singing the classic tune 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 embracing me. I wept. I was Finland’s first air guitar international titleholder in a quarter-century. The previous Finnish champion, the former champion, was also present. He offered me the most heartfelt squeeze and said it was “about damn time”.

Our global network is like a family. Our motto is “Focus on fun, not fighting”. It sounds silly, but it’s a real philosophy. People come from all over the world, and all involved is supportive and encouraging. Before you go on stage, all participants comes and hugs you. Then for a brief period you’re allowed to be uninhibited, playful, the ultimate music icon in the world.

Additionally, I am a beat keeper and string player in a band with my family member called the band name, referencing Gareth Southgate, as we’re influenced by UK rock and post-punk. I’ve been bartending for a short time, and I direct short films and music videos. The title hasn’t altered my routine drastically but I’ve been doing a many interviews, and I aspire it leads to more artistic projects. Oulu will be a cultural hub soon, so there are great prospects.

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