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At the age of 10, I read about a story in my community gazette about the World Air Guitar Competition, that happens every year in my native city of Oulu, Finland. My family had volunteered at the pioneering contest since 1996 – my mum distributed flyers, my dad organized the music. Since then, country-level contests have been staged globally, with the titleholders converging in Oulu annually.

Back then, I asked my parents if I could participate. They weren't sure at first; the competition was in a bar, and there would be an older crowd. They thought it might be an daunting atmosphere, but I was resolved.

As a kid, I was always performing air guitar, miming along to the biggest rock tunes with my make-believe instrument. Mom and Dad were enthusiasts – my father loved Bruce Springsteen and the Irish rock band. the band AC/DC was the original act I discovered on my own. the lead guitarist, the guitar hero, was my hero.

When I stepped on stage, I did my routine to the band's that classic track. The crowd started shouting “Angus”, similar to the concert version, and it struck me: so this is to be a rock star. I made it to the finals, performing to crowds in the public plaza, and I was addicted. I earned the moniker “Little Angus” that day.

Later I paused. I was a judge one year, and opened for the show on another occasion, but I didn’t compete. I returned at 18, experimented with various stage names, but everyone still referred to me as “Little Angus” so I accepted it fully and choose “The Angus” as my artist name. I’ve reached the finals annually from 2022 onward, and in 2023 I was the runner-up, so I was set to take the title this year.

The air guitar community is like a family. The saying we live by is ‘Create music, not conflict’. It sounds silly, but it’s a real philosophy.

The event is high-energy yet fun. Competitors have 60 seconds to put their all – high-powered performance, flawless imitation, performance charm – on an nonexistent axe. Adjudicators evaluate you on a grading system from a specific numeric range. When it's a draw, there’s an “air-off” between the last two competitors: a song plays and you create on the spot.

Getting ready is key. I chose an Avenged Sevenfold song for my performance. I listened to it on a loop for weeks. I stretched constantly, trying to get my lower body flexible enough to leap, my hands nimble enough to imitate guitar parts and my upper body set for those moves and leaps. Once the event dawned, I could feel the song in my bones.

Once all acts were done, the scores came in, and I had drawn with the Japanese champion, the Japanese titleholder – it was time for an tiebreaker. We competed directly to Sweet Child o’ Mine by the iconic band. When I heard the song, I felt comforted because it was a tune I recognized, and primarily I was so eager to perform one more time. Once the results were read I’d emerged victorious, the area went wild.

The moment is hazy. I think I blacked out from surprise. Then all present started singing the song that well-known track and lifted me on to their shoulders. Justin Howard – alias his stage name – a former champion and one of my dear companions, was embracing me. I shed tears. I was Finland’s first air guitar international titleholder in a quarter-century. The previous Finnish champion, Markus “Black Raven” Vainionpää, was also present. He offered me the biggest hug and said it was “about damn time”.

The air guitar community is like a close-knit group. The phrase we live by is “Focus on fun, not fighting”. Though it appears comical, but it’s a true way of life. Participants come from globally, and all involved is positive and uplifting. Before you go on stage, every competitor comes and hugs you. Then for a brief period you’re allowed to be uninhibited, silly, the biggest rock star in the world.

Besides that, I'm a beat keeper and musician in a musical act with my family member called the group title, named after Gareth Southgate, as we’re fans of UK rock and post-punk. I’ve been working in bars for a short time, and I produce independent videos and song visuals. The title hasn’t altered my routine significantly but I’ve been doing a extensive media, and I wish it results in more creative work. The city will be a designated cultural center soon, so there are great prospects.

Currently, I’m just thankful: for the network, for the ability to compete, and for that young child who found a story and thought, “I'd love to try that.”