I Became the Air Guitar Global Winner
When I was just 10, I discovered a story in my local paper about the World Air Guitar Competition, that happens every year in my birthplace of Oulu, Finland. Mom and Dad had participated at the inaugural contest starting from 1996 – my mum gave out flyers, dad sorted the music. Ever since, national championships have been staged all across the world, with the champions assembling in Oulu every summer.
At the time, I inquired with my family if I could compete. At first they were hesitant; the show was in a bar, and there would be a lot of adults. They felt it might be an daunting atmosphere, but I was determined.
During childhood, I was always miming air guitar, acting out to the iconic rock tunes with my imaginary instrument. My family were music fans – dad loved Springsteen and U2. the Australian rockers was the original act I found independently. the guitarist, the lead guitarist, was my idol.
Upon entering the spotlight, I performed my act to the band's Whole Lotta Rosie. The audience started yelling “Angus”, reminiscent of the live recording, and it dawned on me: so this is to be a music icon. I reached the championship, competing to crowds in the town square, and I was hooked. I got the nickname “Little Angus” that day.
Later I paused. I was a referee one year, and started the show another time, but I didn’t compete. I came 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” as my artist name. I’ve qualified for the last round every year since 2022, and in 2023 I placed second, so I was set to win this year.
Our global network is like a close-knit group. Our guiding principle is ‘Play air guitar, avoid battles’. It may seem funny, but it’s a genuine belief.
The contest is competitive but uplifting. Competitors have 60 seconds to deliver maximum effort – dynamic presence, flawless imitation, stage magnetism – on an imaginary instrument. Adjudicators rate you on a point range from four to six. In the case of a tie, there’s an “showdown” between the remaining participants: a song plays and you improvise.
Preparation is everything. I chose an Avenged Sevenfold song for my performance. I had it on repeat for weeks. I stretched constantly, trying to get my lower body prepared enough to jump, my fingers quick enough to copy riffs and my spine ready for those bends and jumps. Once the big day came, I could sense the music in my soul.
When the show concluded, the scores came in, and I had tied with the winner from Japan, the Japanese titleholder – it was moment for an tiebreaker. We faced off to the Guns N’ Roses hit by the iconic band. When I heard the song, I felt comforted because it was familiar to me, and more than anything I was so eager to play again. Once the results were read I’d emerged victorious, the venue erupted.
The moment is hazy. I think I lost consciousness from the excitement. Then the crowd started performing Neil Young’s the anthem Rockin' in the Free World and raised me up on to their arms. A former champion – alias his stage name – a previous titleholder and one of my best pals, was hugging me. I wept. I was Finland’s first air guitar world champion in two and a half decades. The prior titleholder, the earlier victor, was in attendance as well. He gave me the warmest embrace and said it was “finally happening”.
Our global network is like a family. Our motto is “Focus on fun, not fighting”. It may seem humorous, but it’s a true way of life. Participants come from all over the world, and everyone is helpful and motivating. Prior to performing, all participants offers an embrace. Then for a brief period you’re allowed to be yourself, silly, the biggest rock star in the world.
I’m also a percussionist and musician in a band with my sibling called the group title, inspired by Gareth Southgate, as we’re fans of British music genres. I’ve been serving drinks for a short time, and I produce mini movies and music videos. Winning hasn’t affected my daily activities drastically but I’ve been doing a many interviews, and I aspire it leads to more creative work. Oulu will be a designated cultural center soon, so there are promising opportunities.
Currently, I’m just appreciative: for the network, for the ability to compete, and for that little kid who found a story and thought, “That's for me.”
