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Back when I was 10, I came across a article in my community gazette about the Global Air Guitar Contest, held annually every year in my native city of Oulu, Finland. My family had participated at the very first contest back in 1996 – my mother gave out flyers, my dad organized the music. Since then, domestic competitions have been organized in many nations, with the champions assembling in Oulu each August.

At the time, I requested permission if I could enter. Initially they had doubts; the event was in a bar, and there would be many grown-ups. They felt it might be an daunting atmosphere, but I was set on it.

In my youth, I was always “playing” air guitar, miming along to the iconic rock tunes with my imaginary instrument. Mom and Dad were enthusiasts – my father loved Springsteen and U2. AC/DC was the first band I discovered on my own. Angus Young, the lead guitarist, was my idol.

As I took the stage, I did my routine to AC/DC’s Whole Lotta Rosie. The crowd started chanting “Angus”, similar to the album track, and it hit me: this must be to be a guitar hero. I made it to the finals, playing to crowds in Oulu’s market square, and I was addicted. I was dubbed “Little Angus” that day.

Then I took a break. I was a adjudicator one year, and started the show once more, but I didn't participate. I went back at 18, tried a few different stage names, but everyone still referred to me as “Little Angus” so I embraced it and adopt “The Angus” as my performance alias. I’ve reached the finals annually from 2022 onward, and in 2023 I came second, so I was resolved to take the title this year.

The air guitar community is like a family. Our motto is ‘Create music, not conflict’. It sounds silly, but it’s a genuine belief.

The event is competitive but uplifting. Competitors have a short window to put their all – high-powered performance, flawless imitation, stage magnetism – on an invisible guitar. Adjudicators rate you on a scale from four to six. In the case of a tie, there’s an “tiebreaker” between the final two contestants: a track is selected and you improvise.

Preparation is everything. I selected an Avenged Sevenfold song for my performance. I played it repeatedly for multiple weeks. I stretched constantly, trying to get my legs flexible enough to bound, my hands nimble enough to imitate guitar parts and my upper body set for those gestures and hops. Once the big day dawned, I could internalize the track in my bones.

Once all acts were done, the results were tallied, and I had drawn with the Japanese champion, a competitor known as Sudo-chan – it was time for an tiebreaker. We faced off to that classic rock anthem by the rock group. Once the track began, I felt relieved because it was a tune I recognized, and above all I was so eager to perform one more time. When they announced I’d won, the area exploded.

My memory is blurry. I think I zoned out from surprise. Then everyone started singing the classic tune the anthem Rockin' in the Free World and hoisted me on to their shoulders. A former champion – also known as his stage name – a former champion and one of my best pals, was holding me. I cried. I was the first Finnish air guitar international titleholder in a quarter-century. The previous Finnish champion, the earlier victor, was in attendance as well. He offered me the biggest hug and said it was “about damn time”.

The air guitar community is like a support system. The phrase we live by is “Focus on fun, not fighting”. Though it appears comical, but it’s a real philosophy. People come from all over the world, and each person is supportive and encouraging. Before you go on stage, all participants shows support. Then for a brief period you’re free to be uninhibited, humorous, the top performer in the world.

I’m also a drummer and musician in a group with my family member 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 changed my day-to-day life drastically but I’ve been doing a lot of press, and I aspire it brings more artistic projects. My hometown will be a European capital of culture the coming year, so there are promising opportunities.

At present, I’m just grateful: for the community, for the ability to compete, and for that young child who read an article and thought, “That's for me.”