I Became the Air Guitar Global Winner
At the age of 10, I discovered a article in my community gazette about the Global Air Guitar Contest, which take place every year in my hometown of Oulu, Finland. My family had volunteered at the inaugural contest back in 1996 – mom gave out flyers, dad sorted the music. From that point, national championships have been organized globally, with the titleholders gathering in Oulu each August.
At the time, I asked my parents if I could enter. 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 most popular rock tunes with my imaginary instrument. My parents were enthusiasts – my father loved The Boss and the Irish rock band. AC/DC was the initial group I found independently. the lead guitarist, the frontman guitarist, was my hero.
When I stepped on stage, I did my routine to AC/DC’s that classic track. The crowd started shouting “Angus”, just like the album track, and it struck me: this must be to be a rock star. I made it to the finals, performing to hundreds of people in the public plaza, and I was hooked. I earned the moniker “Little Angus” that day.
After that I stopped. I was a referee one year, and started the show on another occasion, but I didn’t compete. I came back at 18, experimented with various stage names, but people kept calling me “Little Angus” so I decided to own it and adopt “The Angus” as my artist name. I’ve qualified for the last round every year since 2022, and in 2023 I was the runner-up, so I was resolved to take the title this year.
Our global network is like a support system. The saying we live by is ‘Create music, not conflict’. It may seem funny, but it’s a true ethos.
The event is high-energy yet fun. Participants have 60 seconds to give everything – explosive energy, precise mimicry, rock star charisma – on an nonexistent axe. Judges evaluate you on a scale from 4.0 to 6.0. In the case of a tie, there’s an “air-off” between the last two competitors: a song plays and you freestyle.
Training is crucial. I selected an a metal group song for my routine. I listened to it on a loop for weeks. I practiced flexibility, trying to get my legs loose enough to leap, my fingers quick enough to mimic solos and my upper body ready for those bends and jumps. Once competition day arrived, I could feel the song in my soul.
Once all acts were done, the results were tallied, and I had tied with the winner from Japan, the Japanese titleholder – it was moment for an air-off. We faced off to Sweet Child o’ Mine by Guns N’ Roses. As the music started, I felt comforted because it was familiar to me, and more than anything I was so eager to perform one more time. When they announced I’d triumphed, the venue erupted.
It's all a bit fuzzy. I think I zoned out from the excitement. Then the crowd started performing Neil Young’s that well-known track and hoisted me on to their shoulders. A former champion – also known as his stage name – a past winner and one of my dear companions, was embracing me. I wept. I was the first Finnish air guitar global winner in 25 years. The prior titleholder, the former champion, 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. The phrase we live by is “Focus on fun, not fighting”. It may seem humorous, but it’s a genuine belief. Participants come from globally, and each person is supportive and encouraging. Before you go on stage, every competitor offers an embrace. Then for a brief period you’re able to be uninhibited, silly, the biggest rock star in the world.
Besides that, I'm a beat keeper and guitarist in a band with my family member called the band name, referencing Gareth Southgate, as we’re fans of British music genres. I’ve been serving drinks for a couple of years, and I create mini movies and performance clips. The title hasn’t affected my daily activities drastically but I’ve been doing a lot of press, and I wish it results in more creative work. The city will be a cultural hub the coming year, so there are great prospects.
Currently, I’m just appreciative: for the network, for the chance to perform, and for that young child who found a story and thought, “That's for me.”
