🔗 Share this article

When I was just 10, I discovered a story in my local paper about the Global Air Guitar Contest, held annually every year in my native city of Oulu, Finland. Mom and Dad had participated at the pioneering contest since 1996 – my mum handed out flyers, dad organized the music. From that point, domestic competitions have been staged in many nations, with the winners converging in Oulu annually.

Back then, I requested permission if I could enter. At first they were hesitant; the event was in a bar, and there would be an older crowd. They felt it might be an daunting atmosphere, but I was resolved.

In my youth, I was always “playing” air guitar, miming along to the biggest rock tunes with my imaginary instrument. Mom and Dad were lovers of music – dad loved The Boss and U2. the band AC/DC was the initial group I discovered on my own. Angus Young, the guitar hero, was my hero.

As I took the stage, I performed my act to the band's Whole Lotta Rosie. The crowd started shouting “Angus”, just like the concert version, and it struck me: this is what it feels like to be a guitar hero. I made it to the finals, playing to hundreds of people in Oulu’s market square, and I was addicted. I got the nickname “Little Angus” that day.

After that I stopped. I was a referee one year, and opened for the show once more, but I stayed out of the contest. I came back at 18, experimented with various stage names, but everyone still referred to me as “Little Angus” so I accepted it fully and adopt “The Angus” as my stage name. I’ve made it to the final every year since 2022, and in 2023 I placed second, so I was resolved to take the title this year.

Our global network is like a support system. Our guiding principle is ‘Play air guitar, avoid battles’. Though it appears humorous, but it’s a genuine belief.

The competition itself is high-energy yet fun. Contestants have one minute to put their all – explosive energy, flawless imitation, stage magnetism – on an invisible guitar. Judges rate you on a point range from four to six. When it's a draw, there’s an “tiebreaker” between the last two competitors: a song plays and you create on the spot.

Training is crucial. I selected an Avenged Sevenfold song for my performance. I played it repeatedly for a long time. I stretched constantly, trying to get my limbs flexible enough to leap, my digits fast enough to copy riffs and my upper body set for those gestures and hops. Once the big day dawned, I could sense the music in my soul.

When the show concluded, the scores came in, and I had drawn with the winner from Japan, a competitor known as Sudo-chan – it was time for an tiebreaker. We faced off to that classic rock anthem by Guns N’ Roses. When I heard the song, I felt comforted because it was a tune I recognized, and primarily I was so thrilled to perform one more time. Once the results were read I’d won, the area exploded.

My memory is blurry. I think I lost consciousness from surprise. Then everyone started singing the song the anthem Rockin' in the Free World and raised me up on to their backs. A former champion – also known as Nordic Thunder – a former champion and one of my closest friends, was embracing me. I cried. I was the first Finnish air guitar international titleholder in 25 years. The earlier winner from Finland, Markus “Black Raven” Vainionpää, was also present. He offered me the biggest hug and said it was “about damn time”.

The air guitar community is like a family. Our motto is “Focus on fun, not fighting”. It may seem humorous, but it’s a true way of life. Competitors come from globally, and all involved is helpful and motivating. Prior to performing, every competitor shows support. Then for one minute you’re free to be yourself, silly, the top performer in the world.

I’m also a beat keeper and guitarist in a band with my brother called the Southgates, named after the football manager, as we’re fans of UK rock and post-punk. I’ve been working in bars for a few years now, and I direct mini movies and music videos. Winning hasn’t affected my daily activities too much but I’ve been doing a extensive media, and I aspire it brings more artistic projects. Oulu will be a European capital of culture soon, so there are exciting things ahead.

Currently, I’m just grateful: for the group, for the ability to compete, and for that budding enthusiast who found a story and thought, “That's for me.”