I Am the Imaginary Guitar International Titleholder

When I was just 10, I read about a article in my hometown newspaper about the Global Air Guitar Contest, held annually every year in my hometown of Oulu, Finland. Mom and Dad had participated at the pioneering contest since 1996 – my mum handed out flyers, dad managed the music. Since then, domestic competitions have been staged all across the world, with the winners gathering in Oulu annually.

Initially, I inquired with my family if I could enter. Initially they had doubts; the competition was in a bar, and there would be an older crowd. They thought it might be an intimidating atmosphere, but I was set on it.

In my youth, I was always miming air guitar, miming along to the biggest rock tunes with my invisible instrument. My family were lovers of music – dad loved Springsteen and the Irish rock band. AC/DC was the first band I found independently. the guitarist, the frontman guitarist, was my inspiration.

As I took the stage, I played my set to AC/DC’s Whole Lotta Rosie. The spectators started chanting “Angus”, just like the concert version, and it dawned on me: this must be to be a guitar hero. I made it to the finals, competing to a large audience in the public plaza, and I was addicted. I earned the moniker “Little Angus” that day.

Then I took a break. I was a referee one year, and kicked off the show on another occasion, but I didn't participate. I went back at 18, experimented with various stage names, but everyone still referred to me as “Little Angus” so I decided to own it and make “The Angus” as my performance alias. I’ve reached the finals each competition since then, and in 2023 I was the runner-up, so I was determined to win this year.

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

The competition itself is competitive but uplifting. Competitors have 60 seconds to put their all – dynamic presence, flawless imitation, stage magnetism – on an nonexistent axe. Judges rate you on a scale from a specific numeric range. When it's a draw, there’s an “showdown” between the remaining participants: a song plays and you improvise.

Getting ready is key. I picked an Avenged Sevenfold song for my performance. I played it repeatedly for a long time. I stretched constantly, trying to get my lower body flexible enough to bound, my digits nimble enough to imitate guitar parts and my upper body set for those bends and jumps. Once competition day dawned, I could sense the music in my bones.

When the show concluded, the scores came in, and I had matched with the winner from Japan, Yuta “Sudo-chan” Sudo – it was moment for an air-off. We went head-to-head to the Guns N’ Roses hit by the iconic band. As the music started, I felt relieved because it was familiar to me, and above all I was so excited to perform one more time. When they announced I’d triumphed, the square exploded.

The moment is hazy. I think I zoned out from surprise. Then everyone started chanting the classic tune the anthem Rockin' in the Free World and raised me up on to their backs. A former champion – also known as his stage name – a former champion and one of my closest friends, was embracing me. I cried. I was the first Finnish air guitar international titleholder in two and a half decades. The prior titleholder, Markus “Black Raven” Vainionpää, was also present. He gave me the biggest hug and said it was “long overdue”.

Our global network is like a family. Our guiding saying is “Make air, not war”. Though it appears comical, but it’s a genuine belief. Participants come from many countries, and all involved is helpful and motivating. Before you go on stage, each contestant shows support. Then for 60 seconds you’re allowed to be uninhibited, humorous, the top performer in the world.

Besides that, I'm a percussionist and string player in a band with my family member called the Southgates, inspired by the sports figure, as we’re fans of UK rock and post-punk. I’ve been bartending for a few years now, and I produce mini movies and music videos. The title hasn’t changed my day-to-day life significantly but I’ve been doing a lot of press, and I aspire it leads to more artistic projects. The city will be a European capital of culture next year, so there are exciting things ahead.

Currently, I’m just appreciative: for the network, for the ability to compete, and for that young child who picked up a newspaper and thought, “That's for me.”