I Became the Air Guitar Global Winner
When I was just 10, I read about a feature in my hometown newspaper about the World Air Guitar Competition, which take place every year in my birthplace of Oulu, Finland. My family had helped out at the very first contest starting from 1996 – my mother handed out flyers, dad organized the music. Since then, country-level contests have been held globally, with the titleholders gathering in Oulu each August.
Back then, I asked my parents if I could enter. At first they were hesitant; the show was in a bar, and there would be many grown-ups. They believed it might be an intimidating atmosphere, but I was resolved.
During childhood, I was always performing air guitar, miming along to the iconic rock tunes with my invisible instrument. My parents were enthusiasts – dad loved The Boss and U2. AC/DC was the initial group I discovered on my own. Angus Young, the lead guitarist, was my inspiration.
Upon entering the spotlight, I performed my act to AC/DC’s the song Whole Lotta Rosie. The crowd started yelling “Angus”, just like the concert version, and it hit me: this is what it feels like to be a rock star. I made it to the finals, performing to crowds in Oulu’s market square, and I was addicted. I earned the moniker “Little Angus” that day.
Then I took a break. I was a referee one year, and opened for the show another time, but I stayed out of the contest. I went back at 18, tried a few different stage names, but everyone still referred to me as “Little Angus” so I accepted it fully and adopt “The Angus” as my performance alias. I’ve reached the finals annually from 2022 onward, and in 2023 I was the runner-up, so I was set to win this year.
The air guitar community is like a family. The saying we live by is ‘Create music, not conflict’. Though it appears humorous, but it’s a real philosophy.
The contest is intense but joyful. Contestants have one minute to deliver maximum effort – dynamic presence, precise mimicry, stage magnetism – on an nonexistent axe. Adjudicators score you on a point range from four to six. If scores are equal, there’s an “tiebreaker” between the remaining participants: a tune begins and you improvise.
Preparation is everything. I selected an Avenged Sevenfold song for my act. I played it repeatedly for a long time. I practiced flexibility, trying to get my legs loose enough to bound, my fingers quick enough to copy riffs and my back set for those gestures and hops. When competition day arrived, I could sense the music in my bones.
After everyone had performed, the scores came in, and I had tied with the Japanese champion, the Japanese titleholder – it was time for an final showdown. We faced off to that classic rock anthem by the iconic band. Once the track began, I felt at ease because it was familiar to me, and primarily I was so thrilled to play again. Once the results were read I’d emerged victorious, the area erupted.
My memory is blurry. I think I blacked out from surprise. Then everyone started performing the song Rockin’ in the Free World and lifted me on to their arms. Justin Howard – also known as his performer title – a former champion and one of my closest friends, was embracing me. I shed tears. I was the first Finnish air guitar world champion in 25 years. The previous Finnish champion, the former champion, was in attendance as well. He bestowed upon me the most heartfelt squeeze and said it was “about damn time”.
The air guitar community is like a family. Our motto is “Focus on fun, not fighting”. It sounds silly, but it’s a real philosophy. Participants come from all over the world, and each person is positive and uplifting. Before you go on stage, each contestant comes and hugs you. Then for one minute you’re allowed to be uninhibited, playful, the ultimate music icon in the world.
Besides that, I'm a beat keeper and musician in a musical act with my family member called the group title, inspired by the football manager, as we’re fans of British music genres. I’ve been working in bars for a few years now, and I create independent videos and music videos. The victory hasn’t changed my day-to-day life drastically but I’ve been doing a extensive media, and I hope it results in more innovative opportunities. Oulu will be a European capital of culture the coming year, so there are great prospects.
At present, I’m just grateful: for the network, for the opportunity to play, and for that young child who picked up a newspaper and thought, “That's for me.”