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Back when I was 10, I came across a article in my community gazette about the Global Air Guitar Contest, held annually every year in my native city of Oulu, Finland. My parents had helped out at the pioneering contest back in 1996 – my mother handed out flyers, my father organized the music. Since then, domestic competitions have been held globally, with the winners assembling in Oulu every summer.

At the time, I asked my parents if I could participate. At first they were hesitant; the competition was in a bar, and there would be many grown-ups. They felt it might be an overwhelming atmosphere, but I was determined.

During childhood, I was always “playing” air guitar, miming along to the biggest rock tunes with my imaginary instrument. My family were enthusiasts – my father loved The Boss and U2. AC/DC was the original act I found independently. Angus Young, the lead guitarist, was my idol.

When I stepped on stage, I performed my act to the band's that classic track. The spectators started shouting “Angus”, reminiscent of the album track, and it struck me: so this is to be a music icon. I made it to the finals, performing to a large audience in Oulu’s market square, and I was captivated. I earned the moniker “Little Angus” that day.

After that I stopped. I was a judge one year, and opened for the show on another occasion, but I stayed out of the contest. I came back at 18, tried a few different stage names, but everyone still referred to me as “Little Angus” so I decided to own it and make “The Angus” as my stage name. I’ve qualified for the last round every year since 2022, and in 2023 I was the runner-up, so I was set to claim victory this year.

The worldwide group is like a close-knit group. Our guiding principle is ‘Play air guitar, avoid battles’. It may seem funny, but it’s a true ethos.

The competition itself is competitive but uplifting. Contestants have 60 seconds to give everything – dynamic presence, precise mimicry, rock star charisma – on an invisible guitar. Adjudicators rate you on a grading system from a specific numeric range. When it's a draw, there’s an “tiebreaker” between the last two competitors: a track is selected and you improvise.

Getting ready is key. I selected an Avenged Sevenfold song for my performance. I listened to it on a loop for a long time. I did regular stretches, trying to get my lower body loose enough to leap, my fingers fast enough to imitate guitar parts and my spine ready for those bends and jumps. By the time the event dawned, I could sense the music in my bones.

When the show concluded, the points were announced, and I had drawn with the titleholder from Japan, a competitor known as Sudo-chan – it was occasion for an tiebreaker. We went head-to-head to that classic rock anthem by the rock group. As the music started, I felt at ease because it was one that I knew, and above all I was so excited to have another go. Once the results were read I’d triumphed, the area went wild.

It's all a bit fuzzy. I think I blacked out from shock. Then the crowd started performing the classic tune the anthem Rockin' in the Free World and hoisted me on to their backs. Justin Howard – AKA Nordic Thunder – a past winner and one of my best pals, was hugging me. I cried. I was Finland’s first air guitar international titleholder in a quarter-century. The previous Finnish champion, Markus “Black Raven” Vainionpää, was there, too. He bestowed upon me the biggest hug and said it was “finally happening”.

The air guitar community is like a family. The phrase we live by is “Make air, not war”. It may seem humorous, but it’s a genuine belief. Competitors come from many countries, and all involved is supportive and encouraging. As you prepare to compete, each contestant offers an embrace. Then for one minute you’re free to be free, silly, the biggest rock star in the world.

Besides that, I'm a percussionist and guitarist in a musical act with my sibling called the group title, referencing the sports figure, as we’re inspired by British music genres. I’ve been working in bars for a short time, and I create mini movies and song visuals. The title hasn’t affected my daily activities drastically but I’ve been doing a extensive media, and I hope it results in more artistic projects. The city will be a European capital of culture the coming year, so there are promising opportunities.

Currently, I’m just thankful: for the group, for the opportunity to play, and for that young child who picked up a newspaper and thought, “I want to do that.”