I Am the Air Guitar Global Winner

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 hometown of Oulu, Finland. My parents had volunteered at the pioneering contest starting from 1996 – mom gave out flyers, dad sorted the music. From that point, domestic competitions have been staged globally, with the champions gathering in Oulu each August.

At the time, I asked my parents if I could participate. They weren't sure at first; the event was in a bar, and there would be a lot of adults. They believed it might be an overwhelming atmosphere, but I was set on it.

In my youth, I was always performing air guitar, acting out to the biggest rock tunes with my make-believe instrument. My parents were music fans – my dad loved Springsteen and U2. the Australian rockers was the original act I discovered on my own. the lead guitarist, the lead guitarist, was my inspiration.

As I took the stage, I played my set to the band's the song Whole Lotta Rosie. The crowd started yelling “Angus”, similar to the live recording, and it dawned on me: this must be to be a guitar hero. I reached the championship, competing to a large audience in the public plaza, and I was hooked. I got the nickname “Little Angus” that day.

Then I took a break. I was a referee one year, and started the show once more, but I didn’t compete. I went back at 18, experimented with various stage names, but people kept calling me “Little Angus” so I decided to own it and make “The Angus” as my stage name. I’ve qualified for the last round each competition since then, and in 2023 I was the runner-up, so I was set to claim victory this year.

The air guitar community is like a support system. The saying we live by is ‘Create music, not conflict’. It may seem funny, but it’s a true ethos.

The competition itself is intense but joyful. Contestants have 60 seconds to put their all – explosive energy, perfect mime, stage magnetism – on an invisible guitar. Adjudicators score you on a point range from 4.0 to 6.0. If scores are equal, there’s an “showdown” between the final two contestants: a song plays and you freestyle.

Getting ready is key. I picked an the band Avenged Sevenfold song for my act. I played it repeatedly for multiple weeks. I practiced flexibility, trying to get my lower body prepared enough to bound, my hands nimble enough to mimic solos and my back prepared for those moves and leaps. By the time the event came, I could sense the music in my being.

Once all acts were done, the scores came in, and I had matched with the titleholder from Japan, Yuta “Sudo-chan” Sudo – it was moment for an tiebreaker. We went head-to-head to Sweet Child o’ Mine by Guns N’ Roses. Once the track began, I felt comforted because it was a tune I recognized, and more than anything I was so eager to play again. As they declared I’d won, the area went wild.

The moment is hazy. I think I blacked out from the excitement. Then everyone started chanting the song that well-known track and hoisted me on to their shoulders. A former champion – alias his performer title – a past winner and one of my closest friends, was embracing me. I shed tears. I was the inaugural from Finland air guitar global winner in two and a half decades. The earlier winner from Finland, the former champion, was in attendance as well. He bestowed upon me the most heartfelt squeeze and said it was “about damn time”.

This worldwide group is like a close-knit group. The phrase we live by is “Focus on fun, not fighting”. It sounds silly, but it’s a true way of life. People come from all over the world, and each person is supportive and encouraging. Before you go on stage, each contestant comes and hugs you. Then for a brief period you’re allowed to be yourself, silly, the top performer in the world.

Additionally, I am a beat keeper and string player in a musical act with my brother called the band name, inspired by the sports figure, as we’re fans of Britpop and new wave. I’ve been working in bars for a couple of years, and I produce independent videos and music videos. The title hasn’t affected my daily activities drastically but I’ve been doing a extensive media, and I hope it results in more artistic projects. Oulu will be a European capital of culture next year, so there are great prospects.

At present, I’m just thankful: for the group, for the opportunity to play, and for that budding enthusiast who picked up a newspaper and thought, “I'd love to try that.”