I Became the Air Guitar Global Winner
When I was just 10, I read about a story in my local paper about the Air Guitar World Championships, held annually every year in my birthplace of Oulu, Finland. Mom and Dad had participated at the inaugural contest since 1996 – mom distributed flyers, dad organized the music. Since then, country-level contests have been staged globally, with the winners assembling in Oulu each August.
At the time, I requested permission if I could enter. Initially they had doubts; the competition was in a bar, and there would be an older crowd. They felt it might be an daunting atmosphere, but I was determined.
In my youth, I was always performing air guitar, pretending to play to the biggest rock tunes with my make-believe instrument. My family were music fans – my dad loved The Boss and U2. AC/DC was the initial group I found independently. the guitarist, the frontman guitarist, was my hero.
Upon entering the spotlight, I did my routine to the band's the song Whole Lotta Rosie. The audience 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, 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 referee one year, and started the show on another occasion, but I stayed out of the contest. I came back at 18, tried a few different stage names, but fans continued using “Little Angus” so I decided to own it and make “The Angus” as my performance alias. I’ve reached the finals annually from 2022 onward, and in 2023 I came second, so I was determined to take the title this year.
The air guitar community is like a support system. Our guiding principle is ‘Make air, not war’. Though it appears humorous, but it’s a true ethos.
The contest is high-energy yet fun. Competitors have 60 seconds to deliver maximum effort – explosive energy, precise mimicry, rock star charisma – on an invisible guitar. The panel rate you on a grading system from 4.0 to 6.0. When it's a draw, there’s an “showdown” between the final two contestants: a track is selected and you create on the spot.
Preparation is everything. I picked an a metal group song for my act. I had it on repeat for weeks. I did regular stretches, trying to get my lower body prepared enough to jump, my hands quick enough to mimic solos and my upper body ready for those gestures and hops. By the time competition day dawned, I could feel the song in my being.
Once all acts were done, the points were announced, and I had tied with the titleholder from Japan, a competitor known as Sudo-chan – it was time for an tiebreaker. We went head-to-head to Sweet Child o’ Mine by the iconic band. When I heard the song, I felt relieved because it was one that I knew, and above all I was so excited to perform one more time. Once the results were read I’d won, the venue erupted.
The moment is hazy. I think I lost consciousness from the excitement. Then all present started performing Neil Young’s Rockin’ in the Free World and raised me up on to their backs. Justin Howard – AKA his performer title – a past winner and one of my dear companions, was embracing me. I cried. I was Finland’s first air guitar global winner in two and a half decades. The previous Finnish champion, the earlier victor, was there, too. He bestowed upon me the most heartfelt squeeze and said it was “about damn time”.
The air guitar community is like a support system. Our motto is “Focus on fun, not fighting”. It sounds silly, but it’s a true way of life. Participants come from many countries, and each person is supportive and encouraging. Prior to performing, all participants offers an embrace. Then for one minute you’re allowed to be uninhibited, playful, the top performer in the world.
Besides that, I'm a beat keeper and musician in a musical act with my sibling called the Southgates, referencing Gareth Southgate, as we’re influenced by UK rock and post-punk. I’ve been bartending for a few years now, and I create independent videos and song visuals. The title hasn’t affected my daily activities drastically but I’ve been doing a extensive media, and I wish it results in more creative work. My hometown will be a European capital of culture next year, so there are promising opportunities.
For now, I’m just thankful: for the group, for the opportunity to play, and for that young child who found a story and thought, “I want to do that.”
