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At the age of 10, I discovered a feature in my hometown newspaper about the Global Air Guitar Contest, held annually every year in my hometown of Oulu, Finland. My parents had helped out at the very first contest starting from 1996 – my mother distributed flyers, my dad organized the music. Ever since, national championships have been organized in many nations, with the winners gathering in Oulu every summer.

Initially, I requested permission if I could participate. Initially they had doubts; the competition was in a bar, and there would be an older crowd. They believed it might be an daunting atmosphere, but I was resolved.

As a kid, I was always miming air guitar, miming along to the most popular rock tunes with my invisible instrument. My parents were music fans – my dad loved Springsteen and U2. the Australian rockers was the first band I stumbled upon myself. the guitarist, the guitar hero, was my idol.

When I stepped on stage, I played my set to AC/DC’s that classic track. The spectators started shouting “Angus”, reminiscent of the live recording, and it dawned on me: so this is to be a music icon. I advanced to the last round, playing to crowds in Oulu’s market square, and I was addicted. I was dubbed “Little Angus” that day.

After that I stopped. I was a referee one year, and started the show on another occasion, but I stayed out of the contest. I came back at 18, tested out several stage names, but everyone still referred to me as “Little Angus” so I embraced it and adopt “The Angus” as my artist name. I’ve reached the finals annually from 2022 onward, and in 2023 I placed second, so I was resolved to take the title this year.

Our global network is like a family. Our motto is ‘Play air guitar, avoid battles’. It sounds silly, but it’s a true ethos.

The contest is competitive but uplifting. Competitors have one minute to give everything – high-powered performance, flawless imitation, performance charm – on an imaginary instrument. Judges rate you on a scale from a specific numeric range. In the case of a tie, there’s an “air-off” between the remaining participants: a tune begins and you create on the spot.

Training is crucial. I selected an a metal group song for my routine. I had it on repeat for weeks. I practiced flexibility, trying to get my legs loose enough to jump, my fingers nimble enough to mimic solos and my upper body prepared for those bends and jumps. By the time the event dawned, I could sense the music in my bones.

After everyone had performed, the scores came in, and I had matched with the winner from Japan, a competitor known as Sudo-chan – it was time for an final showdown. We went head-to-head to Sweet Child o’ Mine by Guns N’ Roses. Once the track began, I felt at ease because it was familiar to me, and above all I was so thrilled to play again. As they declared I’d won, the area exploded.

It's all a bit fuzzy. I think I lost consciousness from surprise. Then everyone started performing Neil Young’s Rockin’ in the Free World and raised me up on to their arms. A former champion – also known as Nordic Thunder – a former champion and one of my best pals, was hugging me. I cried. I was the first Finnish air guitar world champion in a quarter-century. The prior titleholder, the former champion, was there, too. He gave me the biggest hug and said it was “long overdue”.

This worldwide group is like a support system. Our motto is “Make air, not war”. It may seem humorous, but it’s a true way of life. People come from all over the world, and everyone is supportive and encouraging. Before you go on stage, every competitor shows support. Then for a brief period you’re allowed to be uninhibited, silly, the ultimate music icon in the world.

I’m also a beat keeper and guitarist in a group with my family member called the band name, named after Gareth Southgate, as we’re fans of UK rock and post-punk. I’ve been working in bars for a couple of years, and I create short films and song visuals. Winning hasn’t altered my routine drastically but I’ve been doing a extensive media, and I aspire it results in more artistic projects. The city will be a cultural hub soon, so there are promising opportunities.

For now, I’m just grateful: for the community, for the opportunity to play, and for that little kid who found a story and thought, “That's for me.”