🔗 Share this article

When I was just 10, I discovered a article in my local paper about the Global Air Guitar Contest, held annually every year in my birthplace of Oulu, Finland. My family had participated at the pioneering contest since 1996 – my mother handed out flyers, my father managed the music. Ever since, country-level contests have been held in many nations, with the titleholders gathering in Oulu every summer.

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.

In my youth, I was always “playing” air guitar, miming along 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 initial group I discovered on my own. Angus Young, the lead guitarist, was my inspiration.

When I stepped on stage, I did my routine to AC/DC’s the song Whole Lotta Rosie. The crowd started yelling “Angus”, just like the album track, and it struck me: this must be to be a music icon. I advanced to the last round, playing to a large audience in the town square, and I was addicted. I earned the moniker “Little Angus” that day.

Later I paused. I was a adjudicator one year, and kicked off the show on another occasion, but I didn't participate. I came back at 18, tried a few different stage names, but everyone still referred to me as “Little Angus” so I embraced it and make “The Angus” as my performance alias. I’ve reached the finals every year since 2022, and in 2023 I placed second, so I was determined to claim victory this year.

The worldwide group is like a close-knit group. Our guiding principle is ‘Create music, not conflict’. It sounds silly, but it’s a real philosophy.

The competition itself is competitive but uplifting. Competitors have one minute to deliver maximum effort – explosive energy, precise mimicry, performance charm – on an imaginary instrument. Judges score you on a grading system from a specific numeric range. In the case of a tie, there’s an “tiebreaker” between the remaining participants: a tune begins and you create on the spot.

Training is crucial. I selected an Avenged Sevenfold song for my act. I played it repeatedly for weeks. I practiced flexibility, trying to get my lower body loose enough to bound, my hands nimble enough to imitate guitar parts and my upper body set for those gestures and hops. Once the big day arrived, I could feel the song in my being.

Once all acts were done, the results were tallied, and I had drawn with the winner from Japan, Yuta “Sudo-chan” Sudo – it was time for an air-off. We faced off to the Guns N’ Roses hit by the rock group. As the music started, I felt relieved because it was one that I knew, and primarily I was so excited to have another go. When they announced I’d won, the square exploded.

It's all a bit fuzzy. I think I zoned out from the excitement. Then the crowd started performing the song Rockin’ in the Free World and hoisted me on to their backs. A former champion – alias his performer title – a previous titleholder and one of my best pals, was holding me. I wept. I was the inaugural from Finland air guitar global winner in two and a half decades. The earlier winner from Finland, the earlier victor, was also present. He gave me the warmest embrace and said it was “about damn time”.

Our global network is like a close-knit group. Our guiding saying is “Focus on fun, not fighting”. It may seem humorous, but it’s a genuine belief. Participants come from globally, and each person is positive and uplifting. As you prepare to compete, each contestant comes and hugs you. Then for one minute you’re allowed to be free, silly, the top performer in the world.

I’m also a beat keeper and musician in a band with my family member called the group title, named after the sports figure, as we’re inspired by British music genres. I’ve been bartending for a few years now, and I create independent videos and performance clips. The victory hasn’t changed my day-to-day life drastically but I’ve been doing a lot of press, and I wish it brings more innovative opportunities. My hometown will be a European capital of culture next year, so there are exciting things ahead.

Currently, I’m just thankful: for the community, for the ability to compete, and for that budding enthusiast who picked up a newspaper and thought, “I want to do that.”