🔗 Share this article

Back when I was 10, I read about a feature in my community gazette about the Air Guitar World Championships, that happens every year in my native city of Oulu, Finland. My parents had helped out at the inaugural contest back in 1996 – mom gave out flyers, my dad managed the music. Since then, national championships have been held in many nations, with the champions converging in Oulu each August.

Initially, I requested permission if I could compete. 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 resolved.

During childhood, I was always “playing” air guitar, acting out to the iconic rock tunes with my make-believe instrument. My parents were lovers of music – my dad loved Bruce Springsteen and U2. the Australian rockers was the first band I stumbled upon myself. Angus Young, the lead guitarist, was my hero.

Upon entering the spotlight, I did my routine to AC/DC’s the song Whole Lotta Rosie. The spectators started yelling “Angus”, similar to the live recording, and it struck me: this is what it feels like to be a guitar hero. I reached the championship, playing to hundreds of people in Oulu’s market square, and I was addicted. I got the nickname “Little Angus” that day.

Then I took a break. I was a referee one year, and kicked off the show another time, but I didn't participate. I came back at 18, tested out several stage names, but everyone still referred to me as “Little Angus” so I accepted it fully and choose “The Angus” as my performance alias. I’ve made it to the final every year since 2022, and in 2023 I placed second, so I was resolved to claim victory this year.

The worldwide group is like a close-knit group. Our motto is ‘Make air, not war’. It may seem funny, but it’s a genuine belief.

The event is high-energy yet fun. Competitors have 60 seconds to put their all – dynamic presence, flawless imitation, performance charm – on an invisible guitar. Adjudicators rate you on a scale from 4.0 to 6.0. In the case of a tie, there’s an “tiebreaker” between the final two contestants: a tune begins and you improvise.

Training is crucial. I picked an Avenged Sevenfold song for my routine. I had it on repeat for a long time. I did regular stretches, trying to get my limbs flexible enough to leap, my hands fast enough to copy riffs and my back prepared for those gestures and hops. By the time the big day came, I could sense the music in my soul.

Once all acts were done, the points were announced, and I had drawn with the titleholder from Japan, Yuta “Sudo-chan” Sudo – it was moment for an tiebreaker. We went head-to-head to Sweet Child o’ Mine by the iconic band. When I heard the song, I felt comforted because it was one that I knew, and more than anything I was so excited to have another go. As they declared I’d won, the square went wild.

It's all a bit fuzzy. I think I blacked out from shock. Then everyone started chanting the song Rockin’ in the Free World and lifted me on to their arms. A former champion – also known as Nordic Thunder – a previous titleholder and one of my closest friends, was holding me. I cried. I was the inaugural from Finland air guitar world champion in a quarter-century. The prior titleholder, the earlier victor, was in attendance as well. He gave me the most heartfelt squeeze and said it was “about damn time”.

The air guitar community is like a family. Our motto is “Make air, not war”. Though it appears comical, but it’s a genuine belief. Participants come from globally, and all involved is supportive and encouraging. Before you go on stage, all participants shows support. Then for one minute you’re allowed to be uninhibited, silly, the top performer in the world.

Besides that, I'm a drummer and musician in a musical act with my brother called the group title, inspired by the football manager, as we’re fans of UK rock and post-punk. I’ve been working in bars for a few years now, and I create mini movies and performance clips. The victory hasn’t altered my routine significantly but I’ve been doing a lot of press, and I wish it results in more creative work. Oulu will be a designated cultural center the coming year, so there are promising opportunities.

For now, I’m just appreciative: for the network, for the ability to compete, and for that budding enthusiast who found a story and thought, “I want to do that.”