I Became the Air Guitar World Champion

At the age of 10, I discovered a feature in my community gazette about the World Air Guitar Competition, held annually every year in my birthplace of Oulu, Finland. My parents had participated at the pioneering contest back in 1996 – mom handed out flyers, dad organized the music. Since then, country-level contests have been held globally, with the titleholders converging in Oulu each August.

Back then, I inquired with my family if I could compete. Initially they had doubts; the show was in a bar, and there would be an older crowd. They felt it might be an intimidating atmosphere, but I was determined.

In my youth, I was always miming air guitar, miming along to the most popular rock tunes with my make-believe instrument. My family were lovers of music – my father loved Bruce Springsteen and U2. the Australian rockers was the original act I found independently. the lead guitarist, the frontman guitarist, was my hero.

Upon entering the spotlight, I performed my act to AC/DC’s that classic track. The audience started chanting “Angus”, just like the concert version, and it hit me: so this is to be a guitar hero. I made it to the finals, playing to hundreds of people in the town square, and I was hooked. I got the nickname “Little Angus” that day.

Later I paused. I was a judge one year, and kicked off the show once more, but I didn’t compete. I came back at 18, tried a few different stage names, but everyone still referred to me as “Little Angus” so I decided to own it and adopt “The Angus” as my performance alias. I’ve reached the finals each competition since then, and in 2023 I placed second, so I was determined to claim victory this year.

Our global network is like a family. The saying we live by is ‘Make air, not war’. It sounds silly, but it’s a genuine belief.

The competition itself is intense but joyful. Competitors have one minute to give everything – explosive energy, flawless imitation, rock star charisma – on an nonexistent axe. The panel rate you on a grading system from a specific numeric range. When it's a draw, there’s an “air-off” between the final two contestants: a song plays and you improvise.

Preparation is everything. I chose an the band Avenged Sevenfold song for my performance. I had it on repeat for weeks. I stretched constantly, trying to get my legs flexible enough to jump, my digits fast enough to mimic solos and my upper body prepared for those gestures and hops. By the time competition day dawned, I could feel the song in my bones.

Once all acts were done, the points were announced, and I had drawn with the titleholder from Japan, the Japanese titleholder – it was time for an tiebreaker. We went head-to-head to Sweet Child o’ Mine by the iconic band. As the music started, I felt relieved because it was a tune I recognized, and primarily I was so excited to have another go. When they announced I’d triumphed, the area went wild.

My memory is blurry. I think I blacked out from surprise. Then all present started performing the classic tune the anthem Rockin' in the Free World and lifted me on to their arms. Justin Howard – alias his performer title – a former champion and one of my dear companions, was embracing me. I cried. I was Finland’s first 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 “finally happening”.

This worldwide group is like a close-knit group. Our guiding saying is “Focus on fun, not fighting”. Though it appears comical, but it’s a genuine belief. Competitors come from many countries, and each person is supportive and encouraging. As you prepare to compete, every competitor comes and hugs you. Then for a brief period you’re allowed to be uninhibited, silly, the top performer in the world.

Besides that, I'm a percussionist and musician in a musical act with my sibling called the Southgates, named after the football manager, as we’re influenced by Britpop and new wave. I’ve been serving drinks for a couple of years, and I create independent videos and song visuals. The title 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. Oulu will be a designated cultural center soon, so there are great prospects.

Currently, I’m just appreciative: for the community, for the chance to perform, and for that young child who picked up a newspaper and thought, “I'd love to try that.”