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Back when I was 10, I came across a article in my local paper about the Air Guitar World Championships, that happens every year in my native city of Oulu, Finland. Mom and Dad had helped out at the very first contest starting from 1996 – mom distributed flyers, my dad organized the music. From that point, domestic competitions have been staged all across the world, with the champions assembling in Oulu every summer.

At the time, I inquired with my family if I could participate. They weren't sure at first; the event was in a bar, and there would be many grown-ups. They thought it might be an intimidating atmosphere, but I was set on it.

As a kid, I was always miming air guitar, miming along to the biggest rock tunes with my imaginary instrument. Mom and Dad were lovers of music – dad loved Bruce Springsteen and U2. AC/DC was the first band I found independently. the guitarist, the lead guitarist, was my idol.

When I stepped on stage, I did my routine to AC/DC’s Whole Lotta Rosie. The spectators started shouting “Angus”, reminiscent of the live recording, and it hit me: so this is to be a guitar hero. I made it to the finals, playing to a large audience in the public plaza, and I was hooked. I earned the moniker “Little Angus” that day.

Then I took a break. I was a judge one year, and started the show on another occasion, but I stayed out of the contest. 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 performance alias. I’ve made it to the final each competition since then, and in 2023 I was the runner-up, so I was resolved to win this year.

The worldwide group is like a family. The saying we live by is ‘Make air, not war’. It may seem funny, but it’s a true ethos.

The contest is high-energy yet fun. Contestants have one minute to deliver maximum effort – dynamic presence, perfect mime, stage magnetism – on an nonexistent axe. Judges score you on a scale from four to six. In the case of a tie, there’s an “air-off” between the last two competitors: a track is selected and you freestyle.

Getting ready is key. I selected an a metal group song for my performance. I had it on repeat for multiple weeks. I did regular stretches, trying to get my legs flexible enough to leap, my fingers nimble enough to copy riffs and my spine set for those gestures and hops. When the event arrived, I could feel the song in my being.

When the show concluded, the scores came in, and I had drawn with the Japanese champion, a competitor known as Sudo-chan – it was occasion for an air-off. We faced off to Sweet Child o’ Mine by Guns N’ Roses. Once the track began, I felt comforted because it was familiar to me, and more than anything I was so eager to play again. When they announced I’d emerged victorious, the square went wild.

My memory is blurry. I think I lost consciousness from surprise. Then the crowd started singing the classic tune Rockin’ in the Free World and lifted me on to their arms. Justin Howard – alias Nordic Thunder – a former champion and one of my best pals, was embracing me. I cried. I was the inaugural from Finland air guitar international titleholder in a quarter-century. The earlier winner from Finland, Markus “Black Raven” Vainionpää, was also present. He offered me the most heartfelt squeeze and said it was “long overdue”.

Our global network is like a close-knit group. Our motto is “Create music, not conflict”. Though it appears comical, but it’s a true way of life. Competitors come from globally, and everyone is supportive and encouraging. Before you go on stage, all participants comes and hugs you. Then for a brief period you’re able to be yourself, humorous, the top performer in the world.

Besides that, I'm a beat keeper and musician in a musical act with my brother called the band name, inspired by the sports figure, as we’re influenced by UK rock and post-punk. I’ve been bartending for a short time, and I create short films and performance clips. The title hasn’t changed my day-to-day life significantly but I’ve been doing a lot of press, and I hope it leads to more creative work. My hometown will be a European capital of culture the coming year, so there are great prospects.

At present, I’m just grateful: for the community, for the chance to perform, and for that young child who found a story and thought, “That's for me.”