I'm the Imaginary Guitar World Champion

Back when I was 10, I came across a story in my local paper about the Global Air Guitar Contest, held annually every year in my birthplace of Oulu, Finland. Mom and Dad had volunteered at the inaugural contest starting from 1996 – mom handed out flyers, my dad organized the music. Ever since, country-level contests have been organized globally, with the champions gathering in Oulu each August.

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

During childhood, I was always “playing” air guitar, miming along to the iconic rock tunes with my make-believe instrument. My parents were lovers of music – my dad loved The Boss and the Irish rock band. the band AC/DC was the original act I found independently. Angus Young, the frontman guitarist, was my idol.

When I stepped on stage, I did my routine to AC/DC’s Whole Lotta Rosie. The crowd started yelling “Angus”, just like the live recording, and it struck me: this must be to be a guitar hero. I advanced to the last round, competing to hundreds of people in Oulu’s market square, and I was captivated. I got the nickname “Little Angus” that day.

After that I stopped. I was a judge one year, and started the show another time, but I stayed out of the contest. I came back at 18, tested out several stage names, but people kept calling me “Little Angus” so I decided to own it and make “The Angus” as my stage name. I’ve qualified for the last round annually from 2022 onward, and in 2023 I was the runner-up, so I was determined to claim victory this year.

The air guitar community is like a family. The saying we live by 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 deliver maximum effort – explosive energy, precise mimicry, stage magnetism – on an imaginary instrument. Judges score you on a grading system from 4.0 to 6.0. When it's a draw, there’s an “air-off” between the final two contestants: a track is selected and you freestyle.

Getting ready is key. I chose an the band Avenged Sevenfold song for my routine. I had it on repeat for a long time. I did regular stretches, trying to get my legs loose enough to leap, my fingers nimble enough to mimic solos and my back set for those gestures and hops. When the event came, I could feel the song in my soul.

When the show concluded, the scores came in, and I had drawn with the Japanese champion, Yuta “Sudo-chan” Sudo – it was occasion for an air-off. 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 more than anything I was so excited to play again. Once the results were read I’d triumphed, the venue went wild.

My memory is blurry. I think I blacked out from the excitement. Then everyone started chanting the classic tune Rockin’ in the Free World and lifted me on to their arms. A former champion – AKA his performer title – a former champion and one of my dear companions, was hugging me. I wept. I was the inaugural from Finland air guitar international titleholder in a quarter-century. The earlier winner from Finland, the earlier victor, was in attendance as well. He bestowed upon me the most heartfelt squeeze and said it was “finally happening”.

This worldwide group is like a support system. Our motto is “Focus on fun, not fighting”. Though it appears comical, but it’s a genuine belief. Participants come from many countries, and each person is positive and uplifting. Before you go on stage, every competitor offers an embrace. Then for one minute you’re able to be uninhibited, silly, the biggest rock star in the world.

I’m also a drummer and guitarist in a group with my sibling called the Southgates, named after the football manager, as we’re influenced by UK rock and post-punk. I’ve been working in bars for a few years now, and I direct short films and music videos. Winning hasn’t altered my routine too much but I’ve been doing a many interviews, and I hope it brings more creative work. The city will be a cultural hub the coming year, so there are great prospects.

At present, I’m just grateful: for the community, for the chance to perform, and for that budding enthusiast who found a story and thought, “That's for me.”