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Back when I was 10, I read about a feature in my local paper about the Global Air Guitar Contest, which take place every year in my birthplace of Oulu, Finland. My family had helped out at the very first contest since 1996 – my mother gave out flyers, my dad organized the music. Since then, national championships have been organized all across the world, with the winners converging in Oulu each August.

Initially, I requested permission if I could compete. They weren't sure at first; the event was in a bar, and there would be an older crowd. They believed it might be an intimidating atmosphere, but I was resolved.

In my youth, I was always miming air guitar, pretending to play to the most popular rock tunes with my invisible instrument. My parents were lovers of music – my father loved The Boss and U2. the band AC/DC was the initial group I found independently. Angus Young, the frontman guitarist, was my inspiration.

As I took the stage, I performed my act to the band's that classic track. The audience started yelling “Angus”, reminiscent of the live recording, and it struck me: this is what it feels like to be a rock star. I advanced to the last round, competing to a large audience in Oulu’s market square, and I was hooked. I earned the moniker “Little Angus” that day.

Later I paused. I was a judge one year, and started the show another time, but I didn't participate. I came back at 18, tried a few different stage names, but people kept calling me “Little Angus” so I decided to own it and adopt “The Angus” as my stage name. I’ve qualified for the last round annually from 2022 onward, and in 2023 I came second, so I was set to win this year.

The air guitar community is like a close-knit group. The saying we live by is ‘Make air, not war’. It sounds silly, but it’s a genuine belief.

The competition itself is competitive but uplifting. Competitors have a short window to put their all – dynamic presence, flawless imitation, stage magnetism – on an imaginary instrument. The panel rate you on a scale from four to six. In the case of a tie, there’s an “air-off” between the remaining participants: a track is selected and you improvise.

Training is crucial. I selected an a metal group song for my performance. I played it repeatedly for multiple weeks. I did regular stretches, trying to get my lower body prepared enough to jump, my digits fast enough to imitate guitar parts and my spine set for those moves and leaps. Once the event dawned, I could internalize the track in my soul.

After everyone had performed, the results were tallied, and I had tied with the winner from Japan, a competitor known as Sudo-chan – it was moment for an air-off. We went head-to-head to that classic rock anthem by Guns N’ Roses. As the music started, I felt comforted because it was a tune I recognized, and primarily I was so thrilled to have another go. Once the results were read I’d won, the square erupted.

My memory is blurry. I think I lost consciousness from shock. Then everyone started singing the song that well-known track and hoisted me on to their arms. Justin Howard – AKA his stage name – a past winner and one of my best pals, was holding me. I cried. I was the inaugural from Finland air guitar global winner in a quarter-century. The previous Finnish champion, Markus “Black Raven” Vainionpää, was in attendance as well. He gave me the biggest hug and said it was “about damn time”.

This worldwide group is like a close-knit group. The phrase we live by is “Make air, not war”. It sounds silly, but it’s a genuine belief. Competitors come from all over the world, and all involved is positive and uplifting. Before you go on stage, every competitor offers an embrace. Then for one minute you’re free to be yourself, humorous, the biggest rock star in the world.

Besides that, I'm a drummer and string player in a group with my family member called the band name, inspired by Gareth Southgate, as we’re inspired by British music genres. I’ve been working in bars for a short time, and I produce mini movies and song visuals. Winning hasn’t changed my day-to-day life drastically but I’ve been doing a extensive media, and I hope it leads to more artistic projects. My hometown will be a designated cultural center soon, so there are promising opportunities.

At present, I’m just grateful: 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.”