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When I was just 10, I came across a story in my hometown newspaper about the World Air Guitar Competition, which take place every year in my hometown of Oulu, Finland. My family had helped out at the pioneering contest since 1996 – my mum gave out flyers, my dad managed the music. Ever since, country-level contests have been organized all across the world, with the winners gathering in Oulu each August.

Initially, I inquired with my family if I could participate. They weren't sure at first; the show was in a bar, and there would be a lot of adults. They believed it might be an intimidating atmosphere, but I was resolved.

In my youth, I was always miming air guitar, acting out to the most popular rock tunes with my make-believe instrument. Mom and Dad were music fans – my father loved The Boss 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.

As I took the stage, I performed my act to AC/DC’s Whole Lotta Rosie. The crowd started yelling “Angus”, reminiscent of the album track, and it struck me: so this is to be a music icon. I made it to the finals, performing to hundreds of people in the town square, and I was captivated. I got the nickname “Little Angus” that day.

After that I stopped. I was a judge one year, and opened for the show another time, but I didn’t compete. I went back at 18, tried a few different stage names, but fans continued using “Little Angus” so I decided to own it and adopt “The Angus” as my performance alias. I’ve reached the finals every year since 2022, and in 2023 I placed second, so I was resolved to take the title this year.

The air guitar community is like a support system. The saying we live by is ‘Create music, not conflict’. Though it appears humorous, but it’s a real philosophy.

The competition itself is intense but joyful. Participants have one minute to deliver maximum effort – dynamic presence, perfect mime, rock star charisma – on an invisible guitar. Adjudicators score you on a point range from four to six. If scores are equal, there’s an “air-off” between the remaining participants: a song plays and you improvise.

Getting ready is key. I chose an Avenged Sevenfold song for my routine. I played it repeatedly for a long time. I practiced flexibility, trying to get my legs prepared enough to bound, my fingers fast enough to copy riffs and my upper body prepared for those bends and jumps. By the time the big day dawned, 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, the Japanese titleholder – it was time for an air-off. We faced off to that classic rock anthem by the iconic band. As the music started, I felt comforted because it was a tune I recognized, and primarily I was so eager to perform one more time. Once the results were read I’d emerged victorious, the square went wild.

My memory is blurry. I think I lost consciousness from the excitement. Then the crowd started chanting the classic tune that well-known track and hoisted me on to their arms. Justin Howard – alias his stage name – a past winner and one of my best pals, was holding me. I wept. I was the inaugural from Finland air guitar world champion in two and a half decades. The earlier winner from Finland, the earlier victor, was there, too. He gave me the warmest embrace and said it was “finally happening”.

Our global network is like a family. 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 helpful and motivating. Before you go on stage, all participants comes and hugs you. Then for 60 seconds you’re allowed to be uninhibited, silly, the biggest rock star in the world.

I’m also a beat keeper and musician in a group with my sibling called the Southgates, inspired by Gareth Southgate, as we’re influenced by Britpop and new wave. I’ve been serving drinks for a few years now, and I direct short films and song visuals. The title hasn’t altered my routine too much but I’ve been doing a many interviews, and I hope it brings more creative work. The city will be a cultural hub soon, so there are exciting things ahead.

For now, I’m just appreciative: for the group, for the opportunity to play, and for that budding enthusiast who found a story and thought, “I want to do that.”