I'm the Imaginary Guitar Global Winner

When I was just 10, I discovered a feature in my hometown newspaper about the Global Air Guitar Contest, that happens every year in my native city of Oulu, Finland. My family had participated at the inaugural contest since 1996 – my mother gave out flyers, my dad organized the music. Since then, national championships have been staged in many nations, with the champions converging in Oulu annually.

At the time, I requested permission if I could enter. At first they were hesitant; the competition was in a bar, and there would be a lot of adults. They felt it might be an overwhelming atmosphere, but I was set on it.

As a kid, I was always performing air guitar, acting out to the most popular rock tunes with my invisible instrument. My family were lovers of music – my father loved Bruce Springsteen and the Irish rock band. the band AC/DC was the original act I stumbled upon myself. the lead guitarist, the guitar hero, was my inspiration.

As I took the stage, I played my set to AC/DC’s the song Whole Lotta Rosie. The crowd started yelling “Angus”, similar to the album track, and it dawned on me: this must be to be a music icon. I reached the championship, competing to hundreds of people in Oulu’s market square, and I was hooked. I was dubbed “Little Angus” that day.

After that I stopped. I was a judge one year, and opened for the show once more, but I stayed out of the contest. I went back at 18, tested out several stage names, but people kept calling me “Little Angus” so I accepted it fully and adopt “The Angus” as my performance alias. I’ve qualified for the last round every year since 2022, and in 2023 I came second, so I was set to claim victory this year.

Our global network is like a support system. The saying we live by is ‘Make air, not war’. It sounds silly, but it’s a real philosophy.

The contest is competitive but uplifting. Competitors have a short window to put their all – explosive energy, precise mimicry, rock star charisma – on an nonexistent axe. Adjudicators evaluate you on a point range from four to six. If scores are equal, there’s an “tiebreaker” between the remaining participants: a track is selected and you improvise.

Training is crucial. I picked an the band Avenged Sevenfold song for my performance. I played it repeatedly for multiple weeks. I did regular stretches, trying to get my legs flexible enough to jump, my fingers quick enough to copy riffs and my back ready for those moves and leaps. Once competition day arrived, I could feel the song in my soul.

When the show concluded, the points were announced, and I had drawn with the Japanese champion, Yuta “Sudo-chan” Sudo – it was time for an final showdown. We went head-to-head to Sweet Child o’ Mine by the rock group. As the music started, I felt relieved because it was a tune I recognized, and above all I was so eager to perform one more time. Once the results were read I’d triumphed, the area went wild.

The moment is hazy. I think I blacked out from surprise. Then the crowd started singing Neil Young’s Rockin’ in the Free World and lifted me on to their shoulders. Justin Howard – AKA his performer title – a previous titleholder and one of my closest friends, was holding me. I shed tears. I was the first Finnish air guitar international titleholder in a quarter-century. The earlier winner from Finland, the former champion, was there, too. He gave me the most heartfelt squeeze and said it was “about damn time”.

The air guitar community is like a family. Our guiding saying is “Create music, not conflict”. It sounds silly, but it’s a true way of life. People come from many countries, and all involved is helpful and motivating. Before you go on stage, each contestant shows support. Then for 60 seconds you’re allowed to be yourself, humorous, the ultimate music icon in the world.

I’m also a beat keeper and guitarist in a band with my family member called the group title, named after Gareth Southgate, as we’re fans of Britpop and new wave. I’ve been working in bars for a few years now, and I create short films and music videos. The victory hasn’t altered my routine drastically but I’ve been doing a lot of press, and I hope it results in more innovative opportunities. The city will be a cultural hub next year, so there are promising opportunities.

For now, I’m just thankful: for the network, for the ability to compete, and for that young child who found a story and thought, “That's for me.”