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Back when I was 10, I read about a story in my community gazette about the Air Guitar World Championships, which take place every year in my birthplace of Oulu, Finland. Mom and Dad had helped out at the very first contest since 1996 – mom handed out flyers, dad organized the music. From that point, country-level contests have been staged in many nations, with the titleholders gathering in Oulu annually.

Initially, I requested permission if I could enter. Initially they had doubts; the event was in a bar, and there would be many grown-ups. They thought it might be an overwhelming atmosphere, but I was determined.

As a kid, I was always miming air guitar, acting out to the iconic rock tunes with my make-believe instrument. Mom and Dad were lovers of music – dad loved Springsteen and the Irish rock band. the band AC/DC was the original act I found independently. Angus Young, the guitar hero, was my hero.

Upon entering the spotlight, I performed my act to the band's that classic track. The spectators started yelling “Angus”, similar to the concert version, and it hit me: this must be to be a music icon. I advanced to the last round, playing to crowds in the town square, and I was addicted. I got the nickname “Little Angus” that day.

Then I took a break. I was a adjudicator one year, and started the show another time, but I didn't participate. I went back at 18, experimented with various stage names, but fans continued using “Little Angus” so I accepted it fully and make “The Angus” as my artist name. I’ve reached the finals each competition since then, and in 2023 I was the runner-up, so I was determined to claim victory this year.

Our global network is like a support system. The saying we live by is ‘Create music, not conflict’. It may seem funny, but it’s a real philosophy.

The contest is intense but joyful. Competitors have a short window to give everything – dynamic presence, flawless imitation, rock star charisma – on an nonexistent axe. The panel evaluate you on a point range from a specific numeric range. In the case of a tie, there’s an “air-off” between the remaining participants: a song plays and you freestyle.

Training is crucial. I picked an Avenged Sevenfold song for my performance. I listened to it on a loop for multiple weeks. I stretched constantly, trying to get my limbs prepared enough to leap, my hands fast enough to copy riffs and my spine prepared for those gestures and hops. Once competition day dawned, I could feel the song in my being.

Once all acts were done, the scores came in, and I had matched with the titleholder from Japan, the Japanese titleholder – it was occasion for an final showdown. We faced off to that classic rock anthem by Guns N’ Roses. Once the track began, I felt at ease because it was familiar to me, and above all I was so thrilled to play again. As they declared I’d won, the area erupted.

My memory is blurry. I think I blacked out from shock. Then all present started chanting Neil Young’s that well-known track and lifted me on to their arms. One of the greats – alias Nordic Thunder – a past winner and one of my closest friends, was hugging me. I wept. I was the first Finnish air guitar world champion in a quarter-century. The earlier winner from Finland, Markus “Black Raven” Vainionpää, was there, too. He gave me the warmest embrace and said it was “about damn time”.

The air guitar community is like a support system. The phrase we live by is “Create music, not conflict”. It may seem humorous, but it’s a genuine belief. People come from many countries, and everyone is supportive and encouraging. As you prepare to compete, all participants comes and hugs you. Then for one minute you’re able to be yourself, silly, the biggest rock star in the world.

I’m also a percussionist and musician in a band with my sibling called the band name, referencing the football manager, as we’re influenced by UK rock and post-punk. I’ve been bartending for a couple of years, and I create independent videos and performance clips. The title hasn’t altered my routine significantly but I’ve been doing a many interviews, and I aspire it results in more creative work. The city will be a European capital of culture soon, so there are promising opportunities.

At present, I’m just appreciative: for the network, for the ability to compete, and for that budding enthusiast who read an article and thought, “That's for me.”