I Am the Air Guitar Global Winner
When I was just 10, I came across a feature in my local paper about the Air Guitar World Championships, which take place every year in my hometown of Oulu, Finland. My family had helped out at the pioneering contest back in 1996 – mom distributed flyers, dad organized the music. Ever since, domestic competitions have been staged in many nations, with the champions gathering in Oulu annually.
Initially, I asked my parents if I could participate. At first they were hesitant; the event was in a bar, and there would be a lot of adults. They thought 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 make-believe instrument. My parents were enthusiasts – my father loved Bruce Springsteen and U2. the band AC/DC was the initial group I stumbled upon myself. the guitarist, the lead guitarist, was my inspiration.
When I stepped on stage, I played my set to AC/DC’s Whole Lotta Rosie. The crowd started shouting “Angus”, just like the live recording, and it dawned on me: this is what it feels like to be a rock star. I reached the championship, competing to crowds in the town square, and I was addicted. I was dubbed “Little Angus” that day.
Then I took a break. I was a referee one year, and started the show another time, but I stayed out of the contest. I returned at 18, tested out several stage names, but people kept calling me “Little Angus” so I decided to own it and make “The Angus” as my artist name. I’ve reached the finals annually from 2022 onward, and in 2023 I was the runner-up, so I was determined to win this year.
The air guitar community is like a support system. Our motto is ‘Play air guitar, avoid battles’. It may seem funny, but it’s a true ethos.
The event is competitive but uplifting. Competitors have 60 seconds to give everything – dynamic presence, perfect mime, rock star charisma – on an imaginary instrument. Adjudicators score you on a grading system from 4.0 to 6.0. If scores are equal, there’s an “tiebreaker” between the final two contestants: a song plays and you improvise.
Preparation is everything. I picked an a metal group song for my act. I listened to it on a loop for a long time. I stretched constantly, trying to get my legs flexible enough to jump, my fingers fast enough to imitate guitar parts and my spine set for those moves and leaps. Once the big day came, I could feel the song in my being.
Once all acts were done, the scores came in, and I had drawn with the titleholder from Japan, the Japanese titleholder – it was moment for an air-off. We went head-to-head to the Guns N’ Roses hit by Guns N’ Roses. Once the track began, I felt at ease because it was familiar to me, and primarily I was so thrilled to play again. When they announced I’d emerged victorious, the square went wild.
My memory is blurry. I think I lost consciousness from surprise. Then everyone started singing the song that well-known track and lifted me on to their arms. Justin Howard – also known as Nordic Thunder – a former champion and one of my closest friends, was hugging me. I cried. I was the first Finnish air guitar global winner in 25 years. The previous Finnish champion, the earlier victor, was in attendance as well. He gave me the biggest hug and said it was “about damn time”.
Our global network is like a support system. Our guiding saying is “Create music, not conflict”. Though it appears comical, but it’s a genuine belief. Competitors come from globally, and everyone is positive and uplifting. Prior to performing, all participants shows support. Then for a brief period you’re free to be free, silly, the biggest rock star in the world.
Besides that, I'm a drummer and guitarist in a musical act with my brother called the group title, referencing the football manager, as we’re influenced by UK rock and post-punk. I’ve been bartending for a couple of years, and I produce short films and music videos. Winning hasn’t changed my day-to-day life drastically but I’ve been doing a many interviews, and I aspire it brings more innovative opportunities. My hometown will be a designated cultural center the coming year, so there are promising opportunities.
Currently, I’m just thankful: for the network, for the ability to compete, and for that little kid who read an article and thought, “I want to do that.”