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At the age of 10, I came across a feature in my hometown newspaper about the Air Guitar World Championships, which take place every year in my hometown of Oulu, Finland. My family had helped out at the very first contest back in 1996 – mom gave out flyers, dad managed the music. From that point, domestic competitions have been held globally, with the champions assembling in Oulu annually.

Initially, I requested permission if I could enter. They weren't sure at first; the show was in a bar, and there would be many grown-ups. They thought it might be an overwhelming atmosphere, but I was resolved.

In my youth, I was always miming air guitar, miming along to the biggest rock tunes with my make-believe instrument. My parents were lovers of music – dad loved Bruce Springsteen and the Irish rock band. the band AC/DC was the initial group I discovered on my own. the guitarist, the frontman guitarist, was my hero.

As I took the stage, I played my set to AC/DC’s that classic track. The crowd started chanting “Angus”, similar to the album track, and it struck me: this is what it feels like to be a music icon. I reached the championship, performing to crowds in the town square, and I was hooked. 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 stayed out of the contest. I returned at 18, tested out several stage names, but people kept calling me “Little Angus” so I decided to own it and make “The Angus” as my performance alias. I’ve reached the finals each competition since then, and in 2023 I placed second, so I was set to take the title this year.

The air guitar community is like a family. Our guiding principle is ‘Play air guitar, avoid battles’. It may seem funny, but it’s a real philosophy.

The event is high-energy yet fun. Participants have a short window to deliver maximum effort – high-powered performance, perfect mime, stage magnetism – on an imaginary instrument. Adjudicators evaluate you on a point range from a specific numeric range. In the case of a tie, there’s an “tiebreaker” between the remaining participants: a tune begins and you create on the spot.

Getting ready is key. I selected an a metal group song for my performance. I listened to it on a loop for weeks. I stretched constantly, trying to get my lower body prepared enough to leap, my fingers fast enough to mimic solos and my upper body ready for those moves and leaps. When the event arrived, I could internalize the track in my being.

When the show concluded, the scores came in, and I had tied with the winner from Japan, the Japanese titleholder – it was time for an tiebreaker. We went head-to-head to that classic rock anthem by Guns N’ Roses. When I heard the song, I felt comforted because it was familiar to me, and more than anything I was so thrilled to have another go. When they announced I’d emerged victorious, the square erupted.

The moment is hazy. I think I lost consciousness from shock. Then the crowd started chanting Neil Young’s Rockin’ in the Free World and lifted me on to their shoulders. A former champion – also known as Nordic Thunder – a previous titleholder and one of my closest friends, was holding me. I wept. I was the first Finnish air guitar global winner in 25 years. The earlier winner from Finland, the former champion, was there, too. He bestowed upon me the biggest hug and said it was “long overdue”.

The air guitar community is like a family. Our guiding saying is “Create music, not conflict”. It sounds silly, but it’s a genuine belief. Participants come from all over the world, and everyone is supportive and encouraging. Before you go on stage, all participants offers an embrace. Then for 60 seconds you’re allowed to be free, playful, the top performer in the world.

Besides that, I'm a drummer and musician in a musical act with my brother called the band name, inspired by Gareth Southgate, as we’re fans of UK rock and post-punk. I’ve been working in bars for a short time, and I direct independent videos and music videos. The victory hasn’t changed my day-to-day life drastically but I’ve been doing a lot of press, and I wish it brings more artistic projects. 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 group, for the chance to perform, and for that budding enthusiast who picked up a newspaper and thought, “I'd love to try that.”