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At the age of 10, I read about a feature in my hometown newspaper about the Global Air Guitar Contest, held annually every year in my birthplace of Oulu, Finland. Mom and Dad had volunteered at the pioneering contest since 1996 – my mum handed out flyers, my father organized the music. Ever since, country-level contests have been held all across the world, with the titleholders converging in Oulu annually.

Initially, I inquired with my family if I could participate. At first they were hesitant; the event was in a bar, and there would be an older crowd. They believed it might be an overwhelming atmosphere, but I was determined.

In my youth, I was always miming air guitar, miming along to the iconic rock tunes with my make-believe instrument. My family were music fans – my father loved Bruce Springsteen and U2. the band AC/DC was the initial group I found independently. the guitarist, the lead guitarist, was my idol.

As I took the stage, I played my set to the band's that classic track. The spectators started yelling “Angus”, just like the album track, and it struck me: this is what it feels like to be a music icon. I reached the championship, playing to crowds in Oulu’s market square, and I was addicted. I was dubbed “Little Angus” that day.

Later I paused. I was a referee one year, and started the show once more, but I stayed out of the contest. I went back at 18, experimented with various stage names, but people kept calling me “Little Angus” so I decided to own it and adopt “The Angus” as my stage name. I’ve qualified for the last round each competition since then, and in 2023 I was the runner-up, so I was resolved to win this year.

Our global network is like a family. The saying we live by is ‘Create music, not conflict’. It sounds silly, but it’s a real philosophy.

The contest is competitive but uplifting. Contestants have one minute to put their all – dynamic presence, perfect mime, performance charm – on an imaginary instrument. Adjudicators rate you on a point range from four to six. When it's a draw, there’s an “air-off” between the final two contestants: a track is selected and you improvise.

Preparation is everything. I picked an Avenged Sevenfold song for my routine. I listened to it on a loop for weeks. I stretched constantly, trying to get my legs flexible enough to leap, my fingers fast enough to mimic solos and my spine ready for those moves and leaps. By the time the big day dawned, I could feel the song in my being.

When the show concluded, the points were announced, and I had drawn with the titleholder from Japan, a competitor known as Sudo-chan – it was time for an air-off. We faced off to Sweet Child o’ Mine by the iconic band. As the music started, I felt comforted because it was familiar to me, and above all I was so eager to perform one more time. When they announced I’d won, the area erupted.

My memory is blurry. I think I blacked out from shock. Then the crowd started singing Neil Young’s Rockin’ in the Free World and raised me up on to their arms. One of the greats – also known as his performer title – a former champion and one of my best pals, was embracing me. I cried. I was the first Finnish air guitar global winner in a quarter-century. The earlier winner from Finland, the former champion, was also present. He gave me the warmest embrace and said it was “about damn time”.

Our global network is like a close-knit group. Our guiding saying is “Make air, not war”. It may seem humorous, but it’s a genuine belief. Participants come from all over the world, and all involved is helpful and motivating. Before you go on stage, every competitor offers an embrace. Then for one minute you’re free to be yourself, silly, the biggest rock star in the world.

Besides that, I'm a percussionist and guitarist in a group with my brother called the group title, referencing Gareth Southgate, as we’re influenced by British music genres. I’ve been working in bars for a couple of years, and I create short films and song visuals. Winning hasn’t affected my daily activities drastically but I’ve been doing a many interviews, and I hope it brings more artistic projects. Oulu will be a cultural hub the coming year, so there are promising opportunities.

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.”