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At the age of 10, I read about a story in my local paper about the World Air Guitar Competition, held annually every year in my native city of Oulu, Finland. My family had helped out at the inaugural contest back in 1996 – my mum handed out flyers, my father sorted the music. From that point, country-level contests have been held all across the world, with the titleholders assembling in Oulu every summer.

Initially, I requested permission if I could compete. They weren't sure at first; the event was in a bar, and there would be an older crowd. They believed it might be an daunting atmosphere, but I was determined.

In my youth, I was always miming air guitar, pretending to play to the iconic rock tunes with my make-believe instrument. Mom and Dad were music fans – dad loved Bruce Springsteen and U2. AC/DC was the original act I found independently. the lead guitarist, the frontman guitarist, was my idol.

As I took the stage, I did my routine to AC/DC’s that classic track. The crowd started chanting “Angus”, similar to the concert version, and it struck me: this is what it feels like to be a guitar hero. I made it to the finals, performing to hundreds of people in the town square, and I was hooked. I was dubbed “Little Angus” that day.

After that I stopped. I was a judge one year, and kicked off the show on another occasion, but I stayed out of the contest. I went back at 18, tested out several stage names, but people kept calling me “Little Angus” so I embraced it and adopt “The Angus” as my stage name. I’ve reached the finals every year since 2022, and in 2023 I placed second, so I was set to win this year.

The air guitar community is like a family. Our guiding principle is ‘Make air, not war’. It may seem funny, but it’s a true ethos.

The competition itself is high-energy yet fun. Contestants have 60 seconds to put their all – high-powered performance, perfect mime, stage magnetism – on an invisible guitar. Adjudicators rate you on a point range from four to six. If scores are equal, there’s an “showdown” between the last two competitors: a track is selected and you improvise.

Preparation is everything. I selected an Avenged Sevenfold song for my routine. I had it on repeat for weeks. I practiced flexibility, trying to get my limbs loose enough to bound, my hands quick enough to copy riffs and my back ready for those moves and leaps. Once the big day arrived, I could feel the song in my soul.

After everyone had performed, the results were tallied, and I had tied with the Japanese champion, the Japanese titleholder – it was occasion for an air-off. We faced off to that classic rock anthem by Guns N’ Roses. Once the track began, I felt relieved because it was one that I knew, and above all I was so thrilled to play again. Once the results were read I’d emerged victorious, the venue erupted.

The moment is hazy. I think I lost consciousness from surprise. Then all present started performing the song that well-known track and raised me up on to their backs. One of the greats – also known as his stage name – a previous titleholder and one of my dear companions, was embracing me. I cried. I was the first Finnish air guitar global winner in two and a half decades. The prior titleholder, Markus “Black Raven” Vainionpää, was there, too. He offered me the biggest hug and said it was “about damn time”.

Our global network is like a support system. Our motto is “Make air, not war”. It sounds silly, but it’s a true way of life. Participants come from globally, and everyone is helpful and motivating. Before you go on stage, every competitor shows support. Then for a brief period you’re allowed to be uninhibited, humorous, the biggest rock star in the world.

Additionally, I am a beat keeper and string player in a band with my brother called the Southgates, referencing the football manager, as we’re influenced by Britpop and new wave. I’ve been serving drinks for a couple of years, and I create mini movies and song visuals. The title hasn’t changed my day-to-day life too much but I’ve been doing a lot of press, and I wish it results in more artistic projects. The city will be a designated cultural center the coming year, so there are promising opportunities.

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