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At the age of 10, I came across a feature in my hometown newspaper about the Global Air Guitar Contest, which take place every year in my birthplace of Oulu, Finland. My family had participated at the inaugural contest starting from 1996 – mom gave out flyers, my father organized the music. Since then, domestic competitions have been organized in many nations, with the winners assembling in Oulu every summer.

Initially, I asked my parents if I could enter. Initially they had doubts; the show was in a bar, and there would be a lot of adults. They believed it might be an intimidating atmosphere, but I was resolved.

During childhood, I was always performing air guitar, pretending to play to the iconic rock tunes with my invisible instrument. My family were lovers of music – dad loved Bruce Springsteen and the Irish rock band. AC/DC was the first band I stumbled upon myself. the guitarist, the guitar hero, was my idol.

As I took the stage, I played my set to AC/DC’s that classic track. The spectators started yelling “Angus”, just like the album track, and it struck me: this must be to be a music icon. I reached the championship, performing to a large audience 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 started the show another time, but I didn’t compete. I came back at 18, tested out several stage names, but fans continued using “Little Angus” so I embraced it and make “The Angus” as my artist name. I’ve reached the finals every year since 2022, and in 2023 I placed second, so I was determined to win this year.

Our global network is like a close-knit group. The saying we live by is ‘Create music, not conflict’. It sounds silly, but it’s a true ethos.

The event is intense but joyful. Contestants have one minute to deliver maximum effort – high-powered performance, precise mimicry, stage magnetism – on an imaginary instrument. Adjudicators rate you on a scale from 4.0 to 6.0. When it's a draw, there’s an “air-off” between the final two contestants: a song plays and you freestyle.

Getting ready is key. I selected an a metal group song for my routine. I had it on repeat for weeks. I did regular stretches, trying to get my limbs prepared enough to jump, my digits fast enough to imitate guitar parts and my spine prepared for those bends and jumps. Once the big day dawned, I could sense the music in my soul.

When the show concluded, the scores came in, and I had matched with the Japanese champion, the Japanese titleholder – it was occasion for an tiebreaker. We competed directly to Sweet Child o’ Mine by the rock group. As the music started, I felt at ease because it was a tune I recognized, and above all I was so excited to play again. As they declared I’d triumphed, the square went wild.

It's all a bit fuzzy. I think I zoned out from shock. Then all present started chanting the classic tune the anthem Rockin' in the Free World and raised me up on to their arms. One of the greats – also known as his performer title – a past winner and one of my closest friends, was hugging me. I shed tears. I was the inaugural from Finland air guitar world champion in a quarter-century. The earlier winner from Finland, Markus “Black Raven” Vainionpää, was there, too. He offered me the most heartfelt squeeze and said it was “about damn time”.

The air guitar community is like a family. The phrase we live by is “Focus on fun, not fighting”. It sounds silly, but it’s a genuine belief. Competitors come from all over the world, and everyone is positive and uplifting. Prior to performing, all participants shows support. Then for one minute you’re allowed to be free, playful, the top performer in the world.

I’m also a beat keeper and string player in a musical act with my brother called the Southgates, named after the football manager, as we’re inspired by British music genres. I’ve been working in bars for a short time, and I create short films and song visuals. The victory hasn’t changed my day-to-day life drastically but I’ve been doing a lot of press, and I wish it leads to more creative work. The city will be a designated cultural center 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 read an article and thought, “That's for me.”