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Back when I was 10, I came across a article in my hometown newspaper about the Global Air Guitar Contest, that happens every year in my native city of Oulu, Finland. My parents had helped out at the very first contest back in 1996 – my mother handed out flyers, my dad organized the music. Since then, national championships have been staged in many nations, with the titleholders assembling in Oulu each August.

Initially, I inquired with my family if I could enter. At first they were hesitant; the event was in a bar, and there would be many grown-ups. They believed it might be an intimidating atmosphere, but I was set on it.

In my youth, I was always performing air guitar, miming along to the iconic rock tunes with my make-believe instrument. Mom and Dad were lovers of music – dad loved Bruce Springsteen and U2. the band AC/DC was the initial group I discovered on my own. the guitarist, the lead guitarist, was my hero.

As I took the stage, I performed my act to the band's Whole Lotta Rosie. The audience started chanting “Angus”, just like the live recording, and it dawned on me: this must be to be a rock star. I advanced to the last round, playing to a large audience 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 once more, but I stayed out of the contest. I came back at 18, tested out several stage names, but everyone still referred to me as “Little Angus” so I embraced it and choose “The Angus” as my artist name. I’ve qualified for the last round every year since 2022, and in 2023 I came second, so I was set to take the title this year.

Our global network is like a family. Our guiding principle is ‘Create music, not conflict’. It may seem funny, but it’s a genuine belief.

The event is high-energy yet fun. Competitors have one minute to put their all – dynamic presence, perfect mime, stage magnetism – on an imaginary instrument. Judges rate you on a scale from 4.0 to 6.0. If scores are equal, there’s an “tiebreaker” between the remaining participants: a tune begins and you freestyle.

Training is crucial. I chose an a metal group song for my routine. I played it repeatedly for multiple weeks. I did regular stretches, trying to get my limbs flexible enough to jump, my fingers fast enough to copy riffs and my spine set for those moves and leaps. Once competition day arrived, I could feel the song in my being.

When the show concluded, the points were announced, and I had tied with the titleholder from Japan, Yuta “Sudo-chan” Sudo – it was time for an tiebreaker. We faced off to Sweet Child o’ Mine by Guns N’ Roses. When I heard the song, I felt at ease because it was one that I knew, and more than anything I was so thrilled to perform one more time. Once the results were read I’d triumphed, the square went wild.

It's all a bit fuzzy. I think I lost consciousness from surprise. Then the crowd started performing the classic tune the anthem Rockin' in the Free World and hoisted me on to their arms. One of the greats – alias his performer title – a previous titleholder and one of my dear companions, was holding me. I cried. I was the inaugural from Finland air guitar global winner in two and a half decades. The previous Finnish champion, Markus “Black Raven” Vainionpää, was in attendance as well. He bestowed upon me the warmest embrace and said it was “finally happening”.

This worldwide group is like a family. The phrase we live by is “Focus on fun, not fighting”. It may seem humorous, but it’s a true way of life. People come from all over the world, and everyone is helpful and motivating. Prior to performing, every competitor shows support. Then for a brief period you’re allowed to be uninhibited, playful, the biggest rock star in the world.

Besides that, I'm a percussionist and musician in a group with my family member called the group title, referencing the sports figure, as we’re inspired by Britpop and new wave. I’ve been bartending for a short time, and I direct short films and music videos. The victory hasn’t changed my day-to-day life significantly but I’ve been doing a lot of press, and I aspire it brings more creative work. The city will be a cultural hub next year, so there are great prospects.

At present, I’m just appreciative: for the network, for the chance to perform, and for that little kid who picked up a newspaper and thought, “I'd love to try that.”