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At the age of 10, I came across a story in my hometown newspaper about the World Air Guitar Competition, that happens every year in my native city of Oulu, Finland. Mom and Dad had participated at the pioneering contest back in 1996 – my mother handed out flyers, my dad sorted the music. Since then, country-level contests have been organized globally, with the titleholders assembling in Oulu every summer.

Back then, I asked my parents if I could enter. Initially they had doubts; the show was in a bar, and there would be many grown-ups. They believed it might be an intimidating atmosphere, but I was resolved.

During childhood, I was always “playing” air guitar, pretending to play to the iconic rock tunes with my make-believe instrument. My parents were lovers of music – dad loved Bruce Springsteen and U2. AC/DC was the original act I found independently. Angus Young, the frontman guitarist, was my hero.

As I took the stage, I played my set to AC/DC’s the song Whole Lotta Rosie. The crowd started yelling “Angus”, reminiscent of the concert version, and it dawned on me: this must be to be a guitar hero. I made it to the finals, playing to crowds in the town square, and I was addicted. I earned the moniker “Little Angus” that day.

Then I took a break. I was a referee one year, and kicked off the show another time, but I didn’t compete. I went back at 18, experimented with various stage names, but everyone still referred to me as “Little Angus” so I embraced it and choose “The Angus” as my performance alias. I’ve qualified for the last round annually from 2022 onward, and in 2023 I came second, so I was determined to claim victory this year.

The air guitar community is like a close-knit group. The saying we live by is ‘Play air guitar, avoid battles’. Though it appears humorous, but it’s a true ethos.

The contest is high-energy yet fun. Contestants have 60 seconds to deliver maximum effort – dynamic presence, flawless imitation, stage magnetism – on an imaginary instrument. Judges score you on a point range from a specific numeric range. If scores are equal, there’s an “air-off” between the final two contestants: a song plays and you freestyle.

Training is crucial. I chose an Avenged Sevenfold song for my act. I had it on repeat for weeks. I did regular stretches, trying to get my limbs prepared enough to jump, my digits fast enough to mimic solos and my spine set for those moves and leaps. When the event arrived, I could feel the song in my being.

Once all acts were done, the scores came in, and I had tied with the titleholder from Japan, the Japanese titleholder – it was occasion for an tiebreaker. We went head-to-head to that classic rock anthem by the rock group. When I heard the song, I felt comforted because it was a tune I recognized, and more than anything I was so thrilled to have another go. When they announced I’d triumphed, the area erupted.

It's all a bit fuzzy. I think I zoned out from the excitement. Then the crowd started singing the classic tune the anthem Rockin' in the Free World and raised me up on to their shoulders. One of the greats – AKA his stage name – a past winner and one of my best pals, was embracing me. I wept. I was the first Finnish air guitar international titleholder in two and a half decades. The prior titleholder, Markus “Black Raven” Vainionpää, was also present. He offered me the biggest hug and said it was “about damn time”.

Our global network is like a support system. The phrase we live by is “Focus on fun, not fighting”. It may seem humorous, but it’s a real philosophy. Participants come from many countries, and each person is positive and uplifting. Prior to performing, every competitor offers an embrace. Then for 60 seconds you’re able to be yourself, silly, the ultimate music icon in the world.

Besides that, I'm a percussionist and string player in a group with my family member called the group title, inspired by Gareth Southgate, as we’re influenced by British music genres. I’ve been bartending for a couple of years, and I direct mini movies and performance clips. The victory hasn’t changed my day-to-day life drastically but I’ve been doing a many interviews, and I aspire it results in more artistic projects. Oulu will be a designated cultural center next year, so there are promising opportunities.

For now, I’m just grateful: for the group, for the chance to perform, and for that budding enthusiast who read an article and thought, “That's for me.”