🔗 Share this article

Back when I was 10, I came across a feature in my community gazette about the Global Air Guitar Contest, which take place every year in my birthplace of Oulu, Finland. Mom and Dad had helped out at the very first contest starting from 1996 – my mum handed out flyers, my dad sorted the music. From that point, national championships have been organized globally, with the titleholders assembling in Oulu annually.

Back then, I asked my parents if I could compete. They weren't sure at first; the competition was in a bar, and there would be an older crowd. They felt it might be an overwhelming atmosphere, but I was resolved.

As a kid, I was always miming air guitar, miming along to the biggest rock tunes with my imaginary instrument. My parents were lovers of music – my dad loved Bruce Springsteen and the Irish rock band. the Australian rockers was the original act I found independently. Angus Young, the frontman guitarist, was my hero.

When I stepped on stage, I played my set to the band's the song Whole Lotta Rosie. The crowd started chanting “Angus”, reminiscent of the album track, and it dawned on me: this must be to be a music icon. I reached the championship, playing to hundreds of people in the public plaza, and I was captivated. I got the nickname “Little Angus” that day.

Later I paused. I was a judge one year, and started the show on another occasion, but I stayed out of the contest. I went back at 18, tried a few different stage names, but everyone still referred to me as “Little Angus” so I accepted it fully and adopt “The Angus” as my artist name. I’ve made it to the final annually from 2022 onward, and in 2023 I placed second, so I was determined to win this year.

The air guitar community is like a support system. The saying we live by is ‘Play air guitar, avoid battles’. Though it appears humorous, but it’s a genuine belief.

The competition itself is competitive but uplifting. Participants have a short window to give everything – explosive energy, flawless imitation, rock star charisma – on an invisible guitar. The panel rate you on a grading system from a specific numeric range. In the case of a tie, there’s an “air-off” between the final two contestants: a track is selected and you create on the spot.

Preparation is everything. I picked an the band Avenged Sevenfold song for my performance. I played it repeatedly for a long time. I practiced flexibility, trying to get my limbs loose enough to leap, my fingers quick enough to copy riffs and my back ready for those gestures and hops. Once competition day dawned, I could internalize the track in my being.

Once all acts were done, the points were announced, and I had tied with the titleholder from Japan, the Japanese titleholder – it was moment for an air-off. We went head-to-head to the Guns N’ Roses hit by Guns N’ Roses. When I heard the song, I felt relieved because it was a tune I recognized, and primarily I was so excited to perform one more time. Once the results were read I’d triumphed, the venue erupted.

My memory is blurry. I think I lost consciousness from the excitement. Then all present started chanting the song that well-known track and lifted me on to their backs. A former champion – AKA his performer title – a past winner and one of my closest friends, was hugging me. I shed tears. I was the first Finnish air guitar international titleholder in two and a half decades. The previous Finnish champion, Markus “Black Raven” Vainionpää, was in attendance as well. He gave me the warmest embrace and said it was “long overdue”.

The air guitar community is like a support system. Our motto is “Make air, not war”. Though it appears comical, but it’s a genuine belief. Participants come from all over the world, and each person is positive and uplifting. Before you go on stage, each contestant comes and hugs you. Then for a brief period you’re allowed to be uninhibited, humorous, the top performer in the world.

Besides that, I'm a beat keeper and string player in a group with my sibling called the group title, referencing the sports figure, as we’re fans of UK rock and post-punk. I’ve been working in bars for a short time, and I create short films and song visuals. The title hasn’t altered my routine too much but I’ve been doing a many interviews, and I aspire it results in more creative work. My hometown will be a European capital of culture soon, so there are great prospects.

At present, I’m just thankful: for the group, for the opportunity to play, and for that little kid who picked up a newspaper and thought, “That's for me.”