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When I was just 10, I discovered a feature in my local paper about the Global Air Guitar Contest, held annually every year in my native city of Oulu, Finland. My family had helped out at the inaugural contest since 1996 – my mum gave out flyers, my father sorted the music. Ever since, national championships have been organized in many nations, with the titleholders converging in Oulu annually.

Back then, I inquired with my family if I could participate. At first they were hesitant; the show was in a bar, and there would be many grown-ups. They believed it might be an intimidating atmosphere, but I was determined.

During childhood, I was always “playing” air guitar, acting out to the biggest rock tunes with my imaginary instrument. Mom and Dad were lovers of music – dad loved The Boss and U2. AC/DC was the original act I discovered on my own. Angus Young, the frontman guitarist, was my hero.

When I stepped on stage, I performed my act to AC/DC’s that classic track. The spectators started chanting “Angus”, similar to the album track, and it struck me: this must be to be a rock star. I reached the championship, competing to crowds in Oulu’s market square, and I was captivated. I earned the moniker “Little Angus” that day.

After that I stopped. I was a referee one year, and started the show on another occasion, but I stayed out of the contest. I returned at 18, experimented with various stage names, but everyone still referred to me as “Little Angus” so I embraced it and make “The Angus” as my artist name. I’ve reached the finals each competition since then, and in 2023 I placed second, so I was determined to claim victory this year.

The worldwide group is like a close-knit group. The saying we live by is ‘Create music, not conflict’. Though it appears humorous, but it’s a genuine belief.

The event is intense but joyful. Contestants have 60 seconds to put their all – high-powered performance, precise mimicry, stage magnetism – on an imaginary instrument. Judges score you on a point range from a specific numeric range. When it's a draw, there’s an “tiebreaker” between the remaining participants: a tune begins and you improvise.

Preparation is everything. I picked an the band Avenged Sevenfold song for my act. I had it on repeat for weeks. I did regular stretches, trying to get my limbs flexible enough to bound, my hands nimble enough to copy riffs and my spine ready for those moves and leaps. When the event dawned, I could internalize the track in my bones.

Once all acts were done, the scores came in, and I had matched with the titleholder from Japan, the Japanese titleholder – it was time for an tiebreaker. We faced off to the Guns N’ Roses hit by the iconic band. As the music started, I felt comforted because it was familiar to me, and primarily I was so thrilled to perform one more time. When they announced I’d triumphed, the venue exploded.

It's all a bit fuzzy. I think I lost consciousness from shock. Then everyone started chanting the song the anthem Rockin' in the Free World and lifted me on to their shoulders. One of the greats – also known as his performer title – a former champion and one of my dear companions, was embracing me. I cried. I was Finland’s first air guitar global winner in a quarter-century. The prior titleholder, Markus “Black Raven” Vainionpää, was in attendance as well. He offered me the most heartfelt squeeze and said it was “finally happening”.

The air guitar community is like a family. The phrase we live by is “Focus on fun, not fighting”. It sounds silly, but it’s a genuine belief. People come from many countries, and all involved is supportive and encouraging. As you prepare to compete, each contestant shows support. Then for one minute you’re able to be yourself, humorous, the top performer in the world.

I’m also a percussionist and musician in a band with my sibling called the Southgates, named after the sports figure, as we’re fans of Britpop and new wave. I’ve been working in bars for a few years now, and I produce independent videos and song visuals. The victory hasn’t affected my daily activities too much but I’ve been doing a many interviews, and I hope it brings more artistic projects. My hometown will be a designated cultural center soon, so there are great prospects.

For now, I’m just thankful: for the community, for the opportunity to play, and for that young child who found a story and thought, “That's for me.”