I'm the Air Guitar World Champion

At the age of 10, I read about a feature in my local paper about the Air Guitar World Championships, which take place every year in my birthplace of Oulu, Finland. Mom and Dad had helped out at the pioneering contest starting from 1996 – mom distributed flyers, my father managed the music. Ever since, national championships have been held in many nations, with the titleholders converging in Oulu every summer.

At the time, I inquired with my family if I could participate. Initially they had doubts; the event was in a bar, and there would be an older crowd. They felt it might be an daunting atmosphere, but I was set on it.

In my youth, I was always performing air guitar, miming along to the most popular rock tunes with my make-believe instrument. My parents were lovers of music – my father loved The Boss and U2. the band AC/DC was the original act I stumbled upon myself. the guitarist, the guitar hero, was my hero.

Upon entering the spotlight, I performed my act to AC/DC’s that classic track. The spectators started yelling “Angus”, just like the album track, and it struck me: this must be to be a guitar hero. I reached the championship, performing to a large audience in Oulu’s market square, and I was addicted. I got the nickname “Little Angus” that day.

Later I paused. I was a judge one year, and opened for the show another time, but I stayed out of the contest. I went back at 18, tried a few different stage names, but fans continued using “Little Angus” so I embraced it and adopt “The Angus” as my artist name. I’ve reached the finals every year since 2022, and in 2023 I was the runner-up, so I was determined to win this year.

The air guitar community is like a family. The saying we live by is ‘Make air, not war’. It sounds silly, but it’s a real philosophy.

The contest is competitive but uplifting. Competitors have one minute to put their all – dynamic presence, perfect mime, rock star charisma – on an nonexistent axe. Judges evaluate you on a point range from a specific numeric range. In the case of a tie, there’s an “showdown” between the final two contestants: a song plays and you improvise.

Getting ready is key. I chose an Avenged Sevenfold song for my routine. I listened to it on a loop for multiple weeks. I stretched constantly, trying to get my lower body loose enough to bound, my hands fast enough to imitate guitar parts and my spine ready for those bends and jumps. Once the event arrived, I could sense the music in my being.

After everyone had performed, the points were announced, and I had tied with the titleholder from Japan, a competitor known as Sudo-chan – it was moment for an air-off. We went head-to-head to that classic rock anthem by Guns N’ Roses. Once the track began, I felt comforted because it was a tune I recognized, and primarily I was so excited to perform one more time. As they declared I’d triumphed, the square erupted.

My memory is blurry. I think I blacked out from shock. Then all present started performing the classic tune that well-known track and raised me up on to their shoulders. A former champion – AKA his performer title – a previous titleholder and one of my dear companions, was embracing me. I wept. I was Finland’s first air guitar global winner in a quarter-century. The previous Finnish champion, Markus “Black Raven” Vainionpää, was there, too. He offered me the most heartfelt squeeze and said it was “about damn time”.

The air guitar community is like a support system. Our motto is “Focus on fun, not fighting”. Though it appears comical, but it’s a genuine belief. Participants come from many countries, and all involved is supportive and encouraging. Prior to performing, all participants offers an embrace. Then for one minute you’re free to be free, silly, the top performer in the world.

I’m also a percussionist and string player in a musical act with my sibling called the group title, named after the sports figure, as we’re inspired by UK rock and post-punk. I’ve been serving drinks for a short time, and I create independent videos and music videos. Winning hasn’t affected my daily activities drastically but I’ve been doing a extensive media, and I aspire it brings more innovative opportunities. Oulu will be a cultural hub next year, so there are exciting things ahead.

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