I Became the Air Guitar International Titleholder

When I was just 10, I read about a story in my hometown newspaper about the Global Air Guitar Contest, that happens every year in my native city of Oulu, Finland. My family had helped out at the very first contest since 1996 – mom gave out flyers, my father organized the music. From that point, country-level contests have been organized in many nations, with the titleholders gathering in Oulu each August.

At the time, I asked my parents if I could enter. At first they were hesitant; the competition was in a bar, and there would be many grown-ups. They believed it might be an daunting atmosphere, but I was determined.

In my youth, I was always performing air guitar, acting out to the most popular rock tunes with my invisible instrument. My parents were enthusiasts – my dad loved Bruce Springsteen and U2. the Australian rockers was the first band I found independently. the lead guitarist, the lead guitarist, was my inspiration.

As I took the stage, I performed my act to AC/DC’s that classic track. The audience started shouting “Angus”, reminiscent of the live recording, and it hit me: this is what it feels like to be a music icon. I made it to the finals, competing to hundreds of people in the town square, and I was hooked. I earned the moniker “Little Angus” that day.

Later I paused. I was a adjudicator one year, and started the show another time, but I stayed out of the contest. I returned at 18, tried a few different stage names, but people kept calling me “Little Angus” so I decided to own it and choose “The Angus” as my performance alias. I’ve qualified for the last round each competition since then, and in 2023 I came second, so I was set to win this year.

Our global network is like a family. Our guiding principle is ‘Make air, not war’. It may seem funny, but it’s a true ethos.

The competition itself is competitive but uplifting. Contestants have 60 seconds to put their all – dynamic presence, perfect mime, rock star charisma – on an nonexistent axe. The panel rate you on a scale from a specific numeric range. If scores are equal, there’s an “showdown” between the remaining participants: a track is selected and you freestyle.

Preparation is everything. I chose an the band Avenged Sevenfold song for my routine. I had it on repeat for weeks. I stretched constantly, trying to get my legs flexible enough to leap, my digits fast enough to copy riffs and my back ready for those gestures and hops. Once the big day arrived, I could feel the song in my soul.

After everyone had performed, the points were announced, and I had matched with the winner from Japan, the Japanese titleholder – it was moment for an final showdown. 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 above all I was so excited to perform one more time. Once the results were read I’d won, the venue exploded.

The moment is hazy. I think I blacked out from surprise. Then all present started chanting the classic tune the anthem Rockin' in the Free World and raised me up on to their shoulders. A former champion – also known as his stage name – a past winner and one of my closest friends, was hugging me. I wept. I was Finland’s first air guitar international titleholder in two and a half decades. The prior titleholder, Markus “Black Raven” Vainionpää, was also present. He gave me the warmest embrace and said it was “finally happening”.

Our global network is like a family. The phrase we live by is “Create music, not conflict”. It may seem humorous, but it’s a real philosophy. People come from globally, and each person is supportive and encouraging. Prior to performing, each contestant offers an embrace. Then for a brief period you’re free to be free, playful, the top performer in the world.

Besides that, I'm a percussionist and string player in a group with my sibling called the Southgates, referencing the sports figure, as we’re fans of Britpop and new wave. I’ve been bartending for a short time, and I direct short films and performance clips. Winning hasn’t affected my daily activities significantly but I’ve been doing a extensive media, and I aspire it brings more artistic projects. My hometown will be a European capital of culture soon, so there are great prospects.

At present, I’m just appreciative: for the group, for the opportunity to play, and for that budding enthusiast who picked up a newspaper and thought, “I want to do that.”