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When I was just 10, I discovered a story in my local paper about the Air Guitar World Championships, held annually every year in my native city of Oulu, Finland. My parents had participated at the pioneering contest starting from 1996 – my mum distributed flyers, dad sorted the music. Ever since, country-level contests have been staged all across the world, with the winners gathering in Oulu annually.

Initially, I requested permission if I could participate. They weren't sure at first; the event was in a bar, and there would be an older crowd. They felt it might be an daunting atmosphere, but I was set on it.

During childhood, I was always performing air guitar, pretending to play to the iconic rock tunes with my invisible instrument. My family were enthusiasts – dad loved The Boss and U2. AC/DC was the first band I found independently. the lead guitarist, the frontman guitarist, was my hero.

As I took the stage, I did my routine to the band's Whole Lotta Rosie. The spectators started shouting “Angus”, just like the concert version, and it hit me: this must be to be a guitar hero. I advanced to the last round, performing to a large audience in the town square, and I was addicted. I got the nickname “Little Angus” that day.

Later I paused. I was a referee one year, and opened for the show another time, but I didn't participate. I went back at 18, tested out several 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 reached the finals every year since 2022, and in 2023 I was the runner-up, so I was set to win this year.

Our global network is like a close-knit group. Our guiding principle is ‘Play air guitar, avoid battles’. It sounds silly, but it’s a genuine belief.

The competition itself is high-energy yet fun. Competitors have 60 seconds to give everything – explosive energy, flawless imitation, rock star charisma – on an nonexistent axe. Judges evaluate you on a grading system from 4.0 to 6.0. In the case of a tie, there’s an “tiebreaker” between the final two contestants: a tune begins and you create on the spot.

Preparation is everything. I picked an the band Avenged Sevenfold song for my performance. I had it on repeat for a long time. I did regular stretches, trying to get my lower body flexible enough to leap, my fingers fast enough to imitate guitar parts and my spine set for those moves and leaps. By the time the big day came, I could sense the music in my soul.

When the show concluded, the results were tallied, and I had drawn with the winner from Japan, a competitor known as Sudo-chan – it was moment for an final showdown. We went head-to-head to the Guns N’ Roses hit by Guns N’ Roses. Once the track began, I felt relieved because it was familiar to me, and primarily I was so eager to play again. As they declared I’d won, the square went wild.

My memory is blurry. I think I lost consciousness from surprise. Then the crowd started performing Neil Young’s Rockin’ in the Free World and hoisted me on to their arms. A former champion – alias his performer title – a previous titleholder and one of my dear companions, was embracing me. I wept. I was the first Finnish air guitar global winner in 25 years. The previous Finnish champion, the former champion, was there, too. He bestowed upon me the warmest embrace and said it was “about damn time”.

Our global network is like a close-knit group. Our motto is “Make air, not war”. It sounds silly, but it’s a real philosophy. Competitors come from all over the world, and everyone is positive and uplifting. Before you go on stage, each contestant offers an embrace. Then for one minute you’re able to be uninhibited, silly, the biggest rock star in the world.

Besides that, I'm a percussionist and guitarist in a band with my brother called the Southgates, named after Gareth Southgate, as we’re influenced by Britpop and new wave. I’ve been working in bars for a couple of years, and I direct short films and performance clips. Winning hasn’t altered my routine drastically but I’ve been doing a extensive media, and I wish it brings more creative work. My hometown will be a designated cultural center soon, so there are great prospects.

For now, I’m just appreciative: for the network, for the opportunity to play, and for that little kid who found a story and thought, “I'd love to try that.”