🔗 Share this article

When I was just 10, I discovered a story in my hometown newspaper about the World Air Guitar Competition, held annually every year in my native city of Oulu, Finland. My parents had participated at the very first contest since 1996 – mom handed out flyers, my dad sorted the music. Ever since, country-level contests have been organized globally, with the titleholders converging in Oulu annually.

Back then, I requested permission if I could participate. Initially they had doubts; the show was in a bar, and there would be an older crowd. They felt it might be an daunting atmosphere, but I was determined.

During childhood, I was always performing air guitar, pretending to play to the most popular rock tunes with my invisible instrument. My family were music fans – dad loved Springsteen and U2. the band AC/DC was the initial group I stumbled upon myself. the lead guitarist, the lead guitarist, was my inspiration.

When I stepped on stage, I did my routine to AC/DC’s that classic track. The audience started yelling “Angus”, reminiscent of the concert version, and it hit me: this must be to be a music icon. I made it to the finals, performing to hundreds of people in the town square, and I was hooked. I was dubbed “Little Angus” that day.

After that I stopped. I was a judge one year, and started the show on another occasion, but I didn’t compete. I returned 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 performance alias. I’ve made it to the final annually from 2022 onward, and in 2023 I placed second, so I was set to claim victory this year.

The worldwide group is like a support system. Our guiding principle is ‘Create music, not conflict’. It sounds silly, but it’s a real philosophy.

The contest is competitive but uplifting. Participants have a short window to put their all – dynamic presence, precise mimicry, rock star charisma – on an nonexistent axe. The panel evaluate you on a grading system from a specific numeric range. If scores are equal, there’s an “tiebreaker” between the last two competitors: a tune begins and you improvise.

Getting ready is key. I selected an Avenged Sevenfold song for my act. I played it repeatedly for weeks. I practiced flexibility, trying to get my legs prepared enough to bound, my hands nimble enough to copy riffs and my spine set for those bends and jumps. By the time the event came, I could feel the song in my soul.

Once all acts were done, the scores came in, and I had matched with the Japanese champion, a competitor known as Sudo-chan – it was occasion for an air-off. We went head-to-head to that classic rock anthem by Guns N’ Roses. When I heard the song, I felt relieved because it was one that I knew, and above all I was so thrilled to have another go. When they announced I’d won, the area exploded.

My memory is blurry. I think I lost consciousness from the excitement. Then the crowd started singing the song Rockin’ in the Free World and lifted me on to their backs. Justin Howard – also known as his stage name – a previous titleholder and one of my dear companions, was holding me. I wept. I was Finland’s first air guitar international titleholder in 25 years. The previous Finnish champion, the former champion, was there, too. He offered me the biggest hug and said it was “finally happening”.

The air guitar community is like a close-knit group. Our guiding saying is “Create music, not conflict”. It sounds silly, but it’s a real philosophy. Competitors come from many countries, and everyone is supportive and encouraging. As you prepare to compete, each contestant comes and hugs you. Then for one minute you’re free to be free, humorous, the top performer in the world.

Additionally, I am a beat keeper and string player in a group with my family member called the group title, named after the football manager, as we’re influenced by British music genres. I’ve been bartending for a short time, and I direct mini movies and song visuals. Winning hasn’t changed my day-to-day life drastically but I’ve been doing a many interviews, and I aspire it results in more creative work. My hometown will be a designated cultural center the coming year, so there are promising opportunities.

For now, I’m just grateful: for the community, for the chance to perform, and for that little kid who picked up a newspaper and thought, “I want to do that.”