🔗 Share this article

Back when I was 10, I came across a article in my hometown newspaper about the Global Air Guitar Contest, that happens every year in my native city of Oulu, Finland. My family had participated at the inaugural contest back in 1996 – mom handed out flyers, my father organized the music. Ever since, country-level contests have been organized globally, with the titleholders converging in Oulu each August.

At the time, I inquired with my family if I could participate. They weren't sure at first; the event was in a bar, and there would be many grown-ups. They felt it might be an intimidating atmosphere, but I was determined.

During childhood, I was always miming air guitar, acting out to the iconic rock tunes with my imaginary instrument. My family were enthusiasts – my dad loved Bruce Springsteen and the Irish rock band. the band AC/DC was the first band I found independently. the lead guitarist, the frontman guitarist, was my inspiration.

As I took the stage, I played my set to AC/DC’s the song Whole Lotta Rosie. The audience started yelling “Angus”, similar to the live recording, and it dawned on me: this is what it feels like to be a music icon. I advanced to the last round, competing to crowds in the town square, and I was addicted. I was dubbed “Little Angus” that day.

After that I stopped. I was a referee one year, and kicked off the show another time, but I stayed out of the contest. I came back at 18, tested out several stage names, but people kept calling me “Little Angus” so I decided to own it and choose “The Angus” as my artist name. I’ve made it to the final every year since 2022, and in 2023 I placed second, so I was resolved to win this year.

The air guitar community is like a family. The saying we live by is ‘Make air, not war’. Though it appears humorous, but it’s a true ethos.

The event is competitive but uplifting. Competitors have one minute to deliver maximum effort – high-powered performance, precise mimicry, performance charm – on an imaginary instrument. Judges score you on a grading system from four to six. When it's a draw, there’s an “tiebreaker” between the remaining participants: a song plays and you improvise.

Getting ready is key. I picked an a metal group song for my act. I played it repeatedly for multiple weeks. I did regular stretches, trying to get my legs flexible enough to bound, my digits fast enough to mimic solos and my spine prepared for those gestures and hops. When competition day came, I could feel the song in my soul.

After everyone had performed, the scores came in, and I had tied with the Japanese champion, a competitor known as Sudo-chan – it was occasion for an tiebreaker. We competed directly to that classic rock anthem by the iconic band. When I heard the song, I felt relieved because it was familiar to me, and above all I was so thrilled to have another go. When they announced I’d won, the area exploded.

The moment is hazy. I think I zoned out from the excitement. Then everyone started chanting the song the anthem Rockin' in the Free World and raised me up on to their backs. Justin Howard – AKA his stage name – a past winner and one of my closest friends, was hugging me. I cried. I was Finland’s first air guitar world champion in a quarter-century. The prior titleholder, the former champion, was also present. He bestowed upon me the biggest hug and said it was “about damn time”.

Our global network is like a support system. Our guiding saying is “Focus on fun, not fighting”. It sounds silly, but it’s a genuine belief. Competitors come from all over the world, and all involved is helpful and motivating. As you prepare to compete, all participants shows support. Then for a brief period you’re able to be uninhibited, humorous, the ultimate music icon in the world.

I’m also a percussionist and musician in a group with my brother called the group title, inspired by the sports figure, as we’re fans of UK rock and post-punk. I’ve been serving drinks for a short time, and I direct independent videos and performance clips. The title hasn’t changed my day-to-day life too much but I’ve been doing a many interviews, and I aspire it leads to 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 group, for the chance to perform, and for that budding enthusiast who picked up a newspaper and thought, “That's for me.”