I Became the Air Guitar Global Winner
At the age of 10, I read about a story in my hometown newspaper about the Air Guitar World Championships, held annually every year in my birthplace of Oulu, Finland. My family had volunteered at the pioneering contest back in 1996 – mom gave out flyers, dad organized the music. From that point, country-level contests have been held globally, with the titleholders gathering in Oulu annually.
At the time, I asked my parents if I could enter. They weren't sure at first; the competition was in a bar, and there would be a lot of adults. They believed it might be an overwhelming atmosphere, but I was resolved.
In my youth, I was always “playing” air guitar, pretending to play to the biggest rock tunes with my invisible instrument. My family were lovers of music – my father loved The Boss and the Irish rock band. AC/DC was the original act I found independently. Angus Young, the lead guitarist, was my idol.
When I stepped on stage, I played my set to the band's Whole Lotta Rosie. The spectators started yelling “Angus”, just like the concert version, and it dawned on me: so this is to be a guitar hero. I reached the championship, competing to a large audience in the public plaza, and I was addicted. I was dubbed “Little Angus” that day.
After that I stopped. I was a judge one year, and started the show once more, but I stayed out of the contest. I went back at 18, tested out several stage names, but everyone still referred to me as “Little Angus” so I embraced it and adopt “The Angus” as my stage name. I’ve reached the finals each competition since then, and in 2023 I came second, so I was determined to claim victory this year.
Our global network is like a support system. Our motto is ‘Create music, not conflict’. Though it appears humorous, but it’s a real philosophy.
The event is high-energy yet fun. Competitors have a short window to give everything – dynamic presence, precise mimicry, stage magnetism – on an imaginary instrument. Adjudicators evaluate you on a scale from four to six. If scores are equal, there’s an “tiebreaker” between the final two contestants: a track is selected and you freestyle.
Training is crucial. I picked an a metal group song for my performance. I played it repeatedly for multiple weeks. I stretched constantly, trying to get my legs loose enough to leap, my digits nimble enough to copy riffs and my upper body prepared for those moves and leaps. Once competition day came, I could sense the music in my soul.
After everyone had performed, the points were announced, and I had tied with the Japanese champion, a competitor known as Sudo-chan – it was occasion for an final showdown. We faced off to the Guns N’ Roses hit by the iconic band. Once the track began, I felt relieved because it was a tune I recognized, and above all I was so thrilled to have another go. When they announced I’d won, the square erupted.
The moment is hazy. I think I lost consciousness from the excitement. Then all present started singing the classic tune the anthem Rockin' in the Free World and hoisted me on to their arms. A former champion – AKA Nordic Thunder – a past winner and one of my best pals, was embracing me. I wept. I was the first Finnish air guitar global winner in two and a half decades. The previous Finnish champion, the earlier victor, was there, too. He bestowed upon me the warmest embrace and said it was “finally happening”.
The air guitar community is like a close-knit group. The phrase we live by is “Make air, not war”. It may seem humorous, but it’s a true way of life. People come from all over the world, and all involved is helpful and motivating. Before you go on stage, each contestant shows support. Then for 60 seconds you’re able to be uninhibited, humorous, the top performer in the world.
Besides that, I'm a percussionist and guitarist in a group with my family member called the group title, named after the football manager, as we’re inspired by Britpop and new wave. I’ve been bartending for a couple of years, and I direct independent videos and performance clips. Winning hasn’t changed my day-to-day life drastically but I’ve been doing a many interviews, and I aspire it leads to more creative work. My hometown will be a European capital of culture soon, so there are great prospects.
Currently, I’m just thankful: for the community, for the opportunity to play, and for that young child who read an article and thought, “I want to do that.”
