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At the age of 10, I discovered a article in my community gazette about the Air Guitar World Championships, which take place every year in my native city of Oulu, Finland. Mom and Dad had volunteered at the very first contest back in 1996 – my mum gave out flyers, my dad managed the music. Since then, country-level contests have been staged all across the world, with the champions gathering in Oulu every summer.

At the time, I requested permission if I could enter. Initially they had doubts; the show was in a bar, and there would be an older crowd. They felt it might be an overwhelming atmosphere, but I was resolved.

As a kid, I was always miming air guitar, miming along to the biggest rock tunes with my invisible instrument. My family were lovers of music – dad loved Bruce Springsteen and U2. AC/DC was the original act I discovered on my own. Angus Young, the frontman guitarist, was my hero.

Upon entering the spotlight, I played my set to the band's the song Whole Lotta Rosie. The crowd started yelling “Angus”, reminiscent of the album track, and it struck me: this is what it feels like to be a guitar hero. I reached the championship, performing to crowds in the public plaza, and I was captivated. I got the nickname “Little Angus” that day.

After that I stopped. I was a referee one year, and kicked off the show on another occasion, but I didn’t compete. I returned at 18, experimented with various stage names, but people kept calling me “Little Angus” so I embraced it and make “The Angus” as my artist name. I’ve reached the finals each competition since then, and in 2023 I placed second, so I was determined to claim victory this year.

Our global network is like a close-knit group. Our guiding principle is ‘Make air, not war’. It sounds silly, but it’s a true ethos.

The event is intense but joyful. Participants have 60 seconds to give everything – dynamic presence, flawless imitation, stage magnetism – on an nonexistent axe. Judges score you on a scale from a specific numeric range. In the case of a tie, there’s an “air-off” between the remaining participants: a track is selected and you freestyle.

Preparation is everything. I selected an a metal group song for my routine. I listened to it on a loop for weeks. I stretched constantly, trying to get my legs loose enough to leap, my digits quick enough to mimic solos and my back prepared for those moves and leaps. When competition day dawned, I could sense the music in my bones.

Once all acts were done, the points were announced, and I had drawn with the winner from Japan, the Japanese titleholder – it was occasion for an tiebreaker. We went head-to-head to Sweet Child o’ Mine by Guns N’ Roses. As the music started, I felt relieved because it was familiar to me, and above all I was so eager to have another go. As they declared I’d won, the area exploded.

My memory is blurry. I think I zoned out from the excitement. Then the crowd started performing Neil Young’s the anthem Rockin' in the Free World and lifted me on to their arms. Justin Howard – AKA his performer title – a previous titleholder and one of my best pals, was holding me. I wept. I was Finland’s first air guitar international titleholder in 25 years. The prior titleholder, the former champion, was also present. He bestowed upon me the biggest hug and said it was “finally happening”.

Our global network is like a support system. Our guiding saying is “Focus on fun, not fighting”. It sounds silly, but it’s a genuine belief. Participants come from globally, and each person is supportive and encouraging. As you prepare to compete, all participants offers an embrace. Then for one minute you’re able to be uninhibited, humorous, the ultimate music icon in the world.

Besides that, I'm a percussionist and musician in a band with my family member called the Southgates, named after Gareth Southgate, as we’re influenced by Britpop and new wave. I’ve been working in bars for a couple of years, and I direct short films and song visuals. The victory hasn’t affected my daily activities too much but I’ve been doing a lot of press, and I wish it results in more innovative opportunities. My hometown will be a European capital of culture the coming year, so there are great prospects.

At present, I’m just grateful: for the network, for the opportunity to play, and for that young child who picked up a newspaper and thought, “I want to do that.”