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At the age of 10, I came across a story in my community gazette about the Global Air Guitar Contest, that happens every year in my birthplace of Oulu, Finland. My family had participated at the very first contest since 1996 – my mother gave out flyers, my father sorted the music. Ever since, national championships have been organized in many nations, with the winners assembling in Oulu every summer.

Back then, I asked my parents if I could enter. Initially they had doubts; the show was in a bar, and there would be an older crowd. They believed it might be an intimidating atmosphere, but I was determined.

As a kid, I was always performing air guitar, pretending to play to the most popular rock tunes with my invisible instrument. My parents were enthusiasts – my father loved Springsteen and the Irish rock band. the band AC/DC was the first band I stumbled upon myself. the guitarist, the lead guitarist, was my hero.

Upon entering the spotlight, I did my routine to the band's the song Whole Lotta Rosie. The crowd started shouting “Angus”, just like the live recording, and it struck me: this must be to be a rock star. I reached the championship, competing to crowds in the public plaza, and I was addicted. I earned the moniker “Little Angus” that day.

Later I paused. I was a adjudicator one year, and kicked off the show once more, but I didn't participate. I went back at 18, tried a few different stage names, but people kept calling me “Little Angus” so I decided to own it and adopt “The Angus” as my performance alias. I’ve reached the finals annually from 2022 onward, and in 2023 I was the runner-up, so I was resolved to take the title this year.

Our global network is like a close-knit group. The saying we live by is ‘Make air, not war’. It sounds silly, but it’s a genuine belief.

The competition itself is high-energy yet fun. Competitors have one minute to give everything – high-powered performance, precise mimicry, stage magnetism – on an nonexistent axe. The panel evaluate you on a point range from a specific numeric range. When it's a draw, there’s an “showdown” between the final two contestants: a song plays and you improvise.

Preparation is everything. I selected an Avenged Sevenfold song for my performance. I had it on repeat for multiple weeks. I practiced flexibility, trying to get my lower body loose enough to jump, my fingers quick enough to mimic solos and my upper body set for those bends and jumps. When the event came, I could sense the music in my bones.

Once all acts were done, the results were tallied, and I had drawn with the titleholder from Japan, the Japanese titleholder – it was time for an air-off. We faced off to the Guns N’ Roses hit by the rock group. As the music started, I felt at ease because it was one that I knew, and above all I was so thrilled to have another go. When they announced I’d triumphed, the venue exploded.

It's all a bit fuzzy. I think I zoned out from the excitement. Then all present started singing Neil Young’s the anthem Rockin' in the Free World and hoisted me on to their shoulders. One of the greats – alias his performer title – a past winner and one of my best pals, was embracing me. I shed tears. I was Finland’s first air guitar world champion in a quarter-century. The earlier winner from Finland, the earlier victor, was also present. He gave me the most heartfelt squeeze and said it was “about damn time”.

The air guitar community is like a close-knit group. Our guiding saying is “Create music, not conflict”. It sounds silly, but it’s a real philosophy. People come from all over the world, and everyone is helpful and motivating. Prior to performing, each contestant offers an embrace. Then for one minute you’re free to be uninhibited, silly, the ultimate music icon in the world.

I’m also a beat keeper and musician in a group with my brother called the Southgates, inspired by the sports figure, as we’re inspired by UK rock and post-punk. I’ve been serving drinks for a few years now, and I produce short films and music videos. Winning 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 cultural hub soon, so there are exciting things ahead.

For now, I’m just grateful: for the community, for the ability to compete, and for that budding enthusiast who picked up a newspaper and thought, “I'd love to try that.”