I was 10 when I read an article in the local paper about the Air Guitar World Championships, which take place every year in my home town of Oulu, Finland. My parents had helped out at the very first contest back in 1996 – my mum gave out flyers, my dad sorted the music. Since then, national championships have been held all across the world, with the winners assembling in Oulu every summer.
At the time, I asked my parents if I could compete. At first they were hesitant; the event was in a bar, and there would be a lot of adults. They thought it might be an intimidating atmosphere, but I was determined.
As a kid, I was always “playing” air guitar, miming along to the biggest rock tunes with my imaginary instrument. My parents were music fans – my dad loved Bruce Springsteen and U2. AC/DC was the first band I discovered on my own. Angus Young, the lead guitarist, was my hero.
When I stepped on stage, I did my routine to AC/DC’s Whole Lotta Rosie. The crowd started chanting “Angus”, just like on the live recording, and it hit me: this is what it feels like to be a rock star. I made it to the finals, playing to hundreds of people in Oulu’s market square, and I was hooked. I got the nickname “Little Angus” that day.
Then I took a break. I was a judge one year, and opened for the show another time, but I didn’t compete. I went back at 18, tried a few different stage names, but people kept calling me “Little Angus” so I decided to own it and make “The Angus” my stage name. I’ve made it to the final every year since 2022, and in 2023 I came second, so I was determined to win this year.
The competition itself is intense but joyful. Contestants have 60 seconds to give everything – explosive energy, perfect mime, rock star charisma – on an invisible guitar. Judges score you on a scale from 4.0 to 6.0. In the case of a tie, there’s an “air-off” between the final two contestants: a song plays and you improvise.
Preparation is everything. I chose an Avenged Sevenfold song for my routine. I listened to it on a loop for weeks. I stretched constantly, trying to get my legs loose enough to leap, my fingers fast enough to mimic solos and my back ready for those bends and jumps. By the time competition day came, I could feel the song in my bones.
After everyone had performed, the scores came in, and I had tied with the Japanese champion, Yuta “Sudo-chan” Sudo – it was time for an air-off. We went head-to-head to Sweet Child o’ Mine by Guns N’ Roses. When I heard the song, I felt relieved because it was one that I knew, and more than anything I was so excited to perform one more time. When they announced I’d won, the square erupted.
The moment is hazy. I think I blacked out from shock. Then everyone started singing Neil Young’s Rockin’ in the Free World and lifted me on to their shoulders. Justin Howard – AKA Nordic Thunder – a former champion and one of my closest friends, was hugging me. I cried. I was Finland’s first air guitar world champion in 25 years. The previous Finnish champion, Markus “Black Raven” Vainionpää, was there, too. He gave me the biggest hug and said it was “about damn time”.
The air guitar community is like a family. Our motto is “Make air, not war”. It sounds silly, but it’s a real philosophy. People come from all over the world, and everyone is supportive and encouraging. Before you go on stage, every competitor comes and hugs you. Then for 60 seconds you’re allowed to be free, silly, the biggest rock star in the world.
I’m also a drummer and guitarist in a band with my brother called the Southgates, named after Gareth Southgate, as we’re influenced by Britpop and new wave. I’ve been bartending for a few years now, and I direct short films and music videos. Winning hasn’t changed my day-to-day life too much but I’ve been doing a lot of press, and I hope it leads to more creative work. Oulu will be a European capital of culture next year, so there are exciting things ahead.
For now, I’m just grateful: for the community, for the chance to perform, and for that little kid who picked up a newspaper and thought, “I want to do that.”
• As told to Emma Loffhagen
Do you have an experience to share? Email experience@theguardian.com
