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When I was just 10, I discovered a article in my community gazette about the World Air Guitar Competition, that happens every year in my birthplace of Oulu, Finland. My family had participated at the inaugural contest since 1996 – mom distributed flyers, dad managed the music. Ever since, country-level contests have been staged all across the world, with the winners converging in Oulu each August.

Initially, I asked my parents if I could compete. Initially they had doubts; the competition was in a bar, and there would be many grown-ups. They felt it might be an overwhelming atmosphere, but I was determined.

In my youth, I was always miming air guitar, pretending to play to the iconic rock tunes with my make-believe instrument. My parents were lovers of music – my dad loved Bruce Springsteen and U2. the band AC/DC was the initial group I discovered on my own. the lead guitarist, the frontman guitarist, was my inspiration.

When I stepped on stage, I did my routine to the band's that classic track. The crowd started chanting “Angus”, similar to the album track, and it hit me: this must be to be a guitar hero. I advanced to the last round, competing to crowds in the public plaza, and I was hooked. I got the nickname “Little Angus” that day.

Then I took a break. I was a referee one year, and opened for the show on another occasion, but I didn’t compete. I went back at 18, tried a few different stage names, but fans continued using “Little Angus” so I decided to own it and choose “The Angus” as my artist name. I’ve reached the finals every year since 2022, and in 2023 I came second, so I was resolved to win this year.

Our global network is like a family. The saying we live by is ‘Create music, not conflict’. It may seem funny, but it’s a genuine belief.

The competition itself is intense but joyful. Competitors have 60 seconds to deliver maximum effort – high-powered performance, flawless imitation, rock star charisma – on an imaginary instrument. Judges rate you on a point range from a specific numeric range. When it's a draw, there’s an “showdown” between the final two contestants: a tune begins and you create on the spot.

Training is crucial. I selected an the band Avenged Sevenfold song for my act. I listened to it on a loop for multiple weeks. I did regular stretches, trying to get my limbs loose enough to bound, my fingers quick enough to copy riffs and my spine prepared for those moves and leaps. Once the event dawned, I could feel the song in my being.

After everyone had performed, the points were announced, and I had matched with the Japanese champion, the Japanese titleholder – it was occasion for an final showdown. We went head-to-head to that classic rock anthem by the rock group. Once the track began, I felt comforted because it was familiar to me, and more than anything I was so thrilled to play again. Once the results were read I’d emerged victorious, the venue erupted.

It's all a bit fuzzy. I think I blacked out from surprise. Then all present started chanting the song that well-known track and raised me up on to their shoulders. One of the greats – AKA his stage name – a previous titleholder and one of my closest friends, was embracing me. I wept. I was the first Finnish air guitar world champion in two and a half decades. The earlier winner from Finland, the former champion, was also present. He bestowed upon me the biggest hug and said it was “long overdue”.

Our global network is like a support system. The phrase we live by is “Focus on fun, not fighting”. It may seem humorous, but it’s a true way of life. Competitors come from globally, and each person is supportive and encouraging. Before you go on stage, every competitor shows support. Then for 60 seconds you’re free to be uninhibited, silly, the biggest rock star in the world.

I’m also a beat keeper and guitarist in a band with my family member called the Southgates, referencing the sports figure, as we’re inspired by Britpop and new wave. I’ve been working in bars for a few years now, and I direct independent videos and performance clips. The title hasn’t changed my day-to-day life significantly but I’ve been doing a many interviews, and I hope it brings more creative work. Oulu will be a cultural hub the coming year, so there are great prospects.

At present, I’m just grateful: for the network, for the chance to perform, and for that budding enthusiast who read an article and thought, “I'd love to try that.”