I Am the Air Guitar Global Winner

Back when I was 10, I read about a story in my community gazette about the Air Guitar World Championships, held annually every year in my native city of Oulu, Finland. My family had helped out at the very first contest starting from 1996 – my mum handed out flyers, dad organized the music. Since then, domestic competitions have been organized globally, with the titleholders assembling in Oulu annually.

Initially, I asked my parents if I could participate. At first they were hesitant; the show was in a bar, and there would be an older crowd. They believed it might be an intimidating atmosphere, but I was set on it.

During childhood, I was always performing air guitar, pretending to play to the most popular rock tunes with my make-believe instrument. My family were music fans – my father loved Bruce Springsteen and U2. the Australian rockers was the initial group I found independently. the guitarist, the frontman guitarist, was my hero.

Upon entering the spotlight, I performed my act to the band's the song Whole Lotta Rosie. The crowd started yelling “Angus”, similar to the album track, and it struck me: so this is to be a guitar hero. I made it to the finals, playing to crowds in the public plaza, and I was addicted. I earned the moniker “Little Angus” that day.

Then I took a break. I was a referee one year, and opened for the show another time, but I didn’t compete. I went back at 18, tried a few different stage names, but fans continued using “Little Angus” so I decided to own it and make “The Angus” as my performance alias. I’ve reached the finals every year since 2022, and in 2023 I placed second, so I was resolved to claim victory this year.

The air guitar community is like a support system. The saying we live by is ‘Make air, not war’. It may seem funny, but it’s a genuine belief.

The contest is high-energy yet fun. Contestants have 60 seconds to give everything – dynamic presence, flawless imitation, performance charm – on an invisible guitar. Adjudicators rate you on a scale from four to six. If scores are equal, there’s an “air-off” between the remaining participants: a track is selected and you create on the spot.

Preparation is everything. I selected an Avenged Sevenfold song for my performance. I listened to it on a loop for a long time. I practiced flexibility, trying to get my legs flexible enough to leap, my digits nimble enough to copy riffs and my back ready for those moves and leaps. Once the event arrived, I could internalize the track in my bones.

After everyone had performed, the scores came in, and I had drawn with the titleholder from Japan, the Japanese titleholder – it was time for an tiebreaker. We competed directly to that classic rock anthem by the rock group. As the music started, I felt relieved because it was a tune I recognized, and primarily I was so excited to play again. As they declared I’d won, the venue erupted.

The moment is hazy. I think I zoned out from surprise. Then everyone started chanting Neil Young’s the anthem Rockin' in the Free World and raised me up on to their backs. Justin Howard – alias his stage name – a past winner and one of my best pals, was holding me. I wept. I was the inaugural from Finland air guitar world champion in a quarter-century. The prior titleholder, Markus “Black Raven” Vainionpää, was in attendance as well. He gave me the most heartfelt squeeze and said it was “about damn time”.

The air guitar community is like a support system. Our guiding saying is “Focus on fun, not fighting”. It may seem humorous, but it’s a true way of life. Competitors come from globally, and everyone is supportive and encouraging. Prior to performing, each contestant comes and hugs you. Then for a brief period you’re able to be yourself, silly, the top performer in the world.

I’m also a percussionist and guitarist in a group with my family member called the group title, referencing the sports figure, as we’re fans of British music genres. I’ve been serving drinks for a short time, and I produce independent videos and music videos. The title hasn’t altered my routine significantly but I’ve been doing a lot of press, and I hope it brings more creative work. The city will be a European capital of culture next year, so there are exciting things ahead.

At present, I’m just appreciative: for the network, for the chance to perform, and for that young child who found a story and thought, “I want to do that.”