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Back when I was 10, I discovered a article in my hometown newspaper about the Air Guitar World Championships, that happens every year in my native city of Oulu, Finland. My family had helped out at the inaugural contest starting from 1996 – my mum handed out flyers, dad sorted the music. Since then, country-level contests have been staged in many nations, with the titleholders converging in Oulu annually.

At the time, I requested permission if I could participate. At first they were hesitant; the competition was in a bar, and there would be a lot of adults. They felt it might be an overwhelming atmosphere, but I was resolved.

As a kid, I was always miming air guitar, acting out to the biggest rock tunes with my imaginary instrument. Mom and Dad were lovers of music – my dad loved Bruce Springsteen and the Irish rock band. the band AC/DC was the original act I found independently. the lead guitarist, the guitar hero, was my inspiration.

When I stepped on stage, I performed my act to the band's the song Whole Lotta Rosie. The crowd started yelling “Angus”, similar to the live recording, and it struck me: so this is to be a rock star. I made it to the finals, competing to hundreds of people in Oulu’s market square, and I was hooked. I earned the moniker “Little Angus” that day.

Then I took a break. I was a judge one year, and opened for the show another time, but I didn't participate. I went back at 18, tried a few different stage names, but everyone still referred to me as “Little Angus” so I decided to own it and make “The Angus” as my artist name. I’ve made it to the final annually from 2022 onward, and in 2023 I placed second, so I was resolved to take the title this year.

The worldwide group is like a close-knit group. The saying we live by is ‘Create music, not conflict’. Though it appears humorous, but it’s a real philosophy.

The contest is intense but joyful. Participants have 60 seconds to put their all – explosive energy, precise mimicry, stage magnetism – on an invisible guitar. Adjudicators evaluate you on a point range from a specific numeric range. In the case of a tie, there’s an “tiebreaker” between the remaining participants: a song plays and you create on the spot.

Training is crucial. I selected an Avenged Sevenfold song for my routine. I listened to it on a loop for multiple weeks. I stretched constantly, trying to get my limbs loose enough to leap, my hands quick enough to mimic solos and my back set for those bends and jumps. Once competition day dawned, I could sense the music in my soul.

After everyone had performed, the scores came in, and I had tied with the Japanese champion, Yuta “Sudo-chan” Sudo – it was moment for an air-off. We faced off to the Guns N’ Roses hit by the iconic band. When I heard the song, I felt relieved because it was a tune I recognized, and more than anything I was so thrilled to perform one more time. When they announced I’d won, the venue went wild.

The moment is hazy. I think I lost consciousness from the excitement. Then all present started singing Neil Young’s Rockin’ in the Free World and hoisted me on to their backs. A former champion – AKA Nordic Thunder – a former champion and one of my best pals, was holding me. I cried. I was Finland’s first air guitar international titleholder in a quarter-century. The earlier winner from Finland, the former champion, was also present. He offered me the most heartfelt squeeze and said it was “about damn time”.

The air guitar community is like a family. Our motto is “Focus on fun, not fighting”. It may seem humorous, but it’s a genuine belief. Competitors come from many countries, and each person is supportive and encouraging. Prior to performing, all participants shows support. Then for one minute you’re able to be free, playful, the biggest rock star in the world.

Besides that, I'm a drummer and string player in a musical act with my family member called the band name, named after the football manager, as we’re influenced by British music genres. I’ve been bartending for a few years now, and I create independent videos and music videos. The title hasn’t changed my day-to-day life significantly but I’ve been doing a lot of press, and I hope it results in more artistic projects. The city will be a European capital of culture next year, so there are great prospects.

At present, I’m just thankful: for the group, for the opportunity to play, and for that budding enthusiast who picked up a newspaper and thought, “That's for me.”