I Became the Air Guitar World Champion
When I was just 10, I discovered a feature in my community gazette about the Global Air Guitar Contest, held annually every year in my native city of Oulu, Finland. My family had volunteered at the pioneering contest since 1996 – my mum distributed flyers, my father sorted the music. Since then, national championships have been staged in many nations, with the winners converging in Oulu annually.
Initially, I requested permission if I could enter. They weren't sure at first; the competition was in a bar, and there would be an older crowd. They believed it might be an intimidating atmosphere, but I was determined.
As a kid, I was always performing air guitar, miming along to the biggest rock tunes with my imaginary instrument. Mom and Dad were music fans – my father loved The Boss and U2. the band AC/DC was the original act I found independently. the lead guitarist, the guitar hero, was my hero.
When I stepped on stage, I did my routine to AC/DC’s the song Whole Lotta Rosie. The audience started yelling “Angus”, just like the live recording, and it dawned on me: this is what it feels like to be a music icon. I made it to the finals, playing to crowds in the public plaza, and I was captivated. I earned the moniker “Little Angus” that day.
Later I paused. I was a referee one year, and opened for the show on another occasion, but I stayed out of the contest. I came back at 18, tried a few different stage names, but fans continued using “Little Angus” so I accepted it fully and choose “The Angus” as my performance alias. I’ve made it to the final annually from 2022 onward, and in 2023 I placed second, so I was resolved to claim victory this year.
The air guitar community is like a close-knit group. Our motto is ‘Create music, not conflict’. It may seem funny, but it’s a genuine belief.
The competition itself is intense but joyful. Participants have one minute to put their all – dynamic presence, precise mimicry, stage magnetism – on an invisible guitar. Adjudicators evaluate you on a scale from a specific numeric range. When it's a draw, there’s an “tiebreaker” between the last two competitors: a song plays and you freestyle.
Training is crucial. I chose an Avenged Sevenfold song for my act. I had it on repeat for weeks. I stretched constantly, trying to get my lower body flexible enough to bound, my hands nimble enough to imitate guitar parts and my back set for those bends and jumps. When competition day came, I could sense the music in my bones.
When the show concluded, the results were tallied, and I had tied with the titleholder from Japan, a competitor known as Sudo-chan – it was time for an final showdown. We faced off to that classic rock anthem by the rock group. Once the track began, I felt at ease because it was a tune I recognized, and above all I was so eager to have another go. As they declared I’d won, the area exploded.
It's all a bit fuzzy. I think I lost consciousness from the excitement. Then everyone started performing Neil Young’s that well-known track and hoisted me on to their backs. A former champion – alias his performer title – a previous titleholder and one of my best pals, was holding me. I wept. I was the inaugural from Finland air guitar world champion in a quarter-century. The previous Finnish champion, the earlier victor, was in attendance as well. He gave me the biggest hug and said it was “about damn time”.
This worldwide group is like a family. The phrase we live by is “Make air, not war”. Though it appears comical, but it’s a real philosophy. People come from all over the world, and all involved is positive and uplifting. As you prepare to compete, each contestant offers an embrace. Then for one minute you’re allowed to be free, humorous, the top performer in the world.
Besides that, I'm a percussionist and guitarist in a group with my sibling called the group title, referencing Gareth Southgate, as we’re inspired by British music genres. I’ve been serving drinks for a couple of years, and I create independent videos and music videos. Winning hasn’t affected my daily activities too much but I’ve been doing a extensive media, and I hope it leads to more creative work. The city will be a European capital of culture next year, so there are great prospects.
Currently, I’m just grateful: for the group, for the ability to compete, and for that budding enthusiast who picked up a newspaper and thought, “That's for me.”
