🔗 Share this article I Became the Air Guitar Global Winner At the age of 10, I came across a article in my community gazette about the Air Guitar World Championships, which take place every year in my native city of Oulu, Finland. My family had helped out at the very first contest since 1996 – mom handed out flyers, dad managed the music. Since then, country-level contests have been organized in many nations, with the winners converging in Oulu each August. Back then, I inquired with my family if I could enter. They weren't sure at first; the show was in a bar, and there would be a lot of adults. They believed it might be an daunting atmosphere, but I was resolved. During childhood, I was always performing air guitar, miming along to the most popular rock tunes with my make-believe instrument. Mom and Dad were lovers of music – dad loved The Boss and the Irish rock band. the band AC/DC was the original act I stumbled upon myself. Angus Young, the lead guitarist, was my hero. When I stepped on stage, I did my routine to AC/DC’s that classic track. The spectators started shouting “Angus”, just like the live recording, and it dawned on me: this is what it feels like to be a guitar hero. I advanced to the last round, playing to hundreds of people in the town square, and I was hooked. I got the nickname “Little Angus” that day. Then I took a break. I was a adjudicator one year, and opened for the show once more, but I didn't participate. I returned 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 annually from 2022 onward, and in 2023 I came second, so I was determined to claim victory this year. The air guitar community is like a support system. Our guiding principle is ‘Create music, not conflict’. It may seem funny, but it’s a real philosophy. The event is intense but joyful. Participants have a short window to give everything – explosive energy, flawless imitation, performance charm – on an nonexistent axe. The panel evaluate you on a grading system from 4.0 to 6.0. If scores are equal, there’s an “air-off” between the final two contestants: a tune begins and you improvise. Training is crucial. I selected an the band Avenged Sevenfold song for my act. I listened to it on a loop for weeks. I practiced flexibility, trying to get my legs flexible enough to bound, my fingers fast enough to mimic solos and my upper body prepared for those moves and leaps. Once the event arrived, I could sense the music in my soul. Once all acts were done, the scores came in, and I had tied with the titleholder from Japan, the Japanese titleholder – it was time for an final showdown. We went head-to-head to that classic rock anthem by the iconic band. When I heard the song, I felt at ease because it was familiar to me, and above all I was so excited to perform one more time. Once the results were read I’d triumphed, the square erupted. My memory is blurry. I think I blacked out from the excitement. Then the crowd started singing the song that well-known track and raised me up on to their arms. A former champion – alias Nordic Thunder – a past winner and one of my closest friends, was embracing me. I shed tears. I was the inaugural from Finland air guitar international titleholder in a quarter-century. The earlier winner from Finland, the earlier victor, was there, too. He bestowed upon me the biggest hug and said it was “long overdue”. The air guitar community is like a close-knit group. Our motto is “Create music, not conflict”. It may seem humorous, but it’s a genuine belief. Competitors come from many countries, and everyone is positive and uplifting. As you prepare to compete, each contestant offers an embrace. Then for a brief period you’re free to be uninhibited, humorous, the ultimate music icon in the world. Additionally, I am a beat keeper and musician in a band with my brother called the band name, inspired by the sports figure, as we’re inspired by British music genres. I’ve been serving drinks for a couple of years, and I produce short films and song visuals. Winning hasn’t altered my routine drastically but I’ve been doing a many interviews, and I hope it brings more artistic projects. The city will be a cultural hub the coming year, so there are exciting things ahead. At present, I’m just thankful: for the group, for the chance to perform, and for that little kid who found a story and thought, “That's for me.”