I Became the Imaginary Guitar World Champion

When I was just 10, I read about a feature in my local paper about the Global Air Guitar Contest, which take place every year in my native city of Oulu, Finland. My parents had helped out at the inaugural contest back in 1996 – my mum gave out flyers, my dad managed the music. Ever since, country-level contests have been staged all across the world, with the titleholders converging in Oulu annually.

Back then, I inquired with my family if I could compete. Initially they had doubts; the show was in a bar, and there would be an older crowd. They felt it might be an intimidating atmosphere, but I was resolved.

During childhood, I was always miming air guitar, acting out to the most popular rock tunes with my imaginary instrument. Mom and Dad were enthusiasts – my dad loved Bruce Springsteen and the Irish rock band. AC/DC was the first band I found independently. the guitarist, the guitar hero, was my hero.

As I took the stage, I performed my act to AC/DC’s Whole Lotta Rosie. The audience started shouting “Angus”, just like the concert version, and it struck me: so this is to be a music icon. I made it to the finals, playing to a large audience in the public plaza, and I was hooked. I got the nickname “Little Angus” that day.

After that I stopped. I was a judge one year, and kicked off the show on another occasion, but I didn’t compete. I came back at 18, tested out several stage names, but everyone still referred to me as “Little Angus” so I embraced it and make “The Angus” as my performance alias. I’ve qualified for the last round every year since 2022, and in 2023 I came second, so I was determined to win this year.

The worldwide group is like a close-knit group. Our guiding principle is ‘Play air guitar, avoid battles’. Though it appears humorous, but it’s a real philosophy.

The event is competitive but uplifting. Competitors have 60 seconds to give everything – explosive energy, perfect mime, stage magnetism – on an invisible guitar. The panel evaluate you on a grading system from 4.0 to 6.0. If scores are equal, there’s an “showdown” between the remaining participants: a tune begins and you create on the spot.

Getting ready is key. I chose an a metal group song for my routine. I played it repeatedly for multiple weeks. I stretched constantly, trying to get my limbs flexible enough to bound, my fingers nimble enough to mimic solos and my upper body prepared for those moves and leaps. When competition day arrived, I could sense the music in my soul.

Once all acts were done, the scores came in, and I had drawn with the titleholder from Japan, the Japanese titleholder – it was occasion for an tiebreaker. We competed directly to that classic rock anthem by the rock group. When I heard the song, I felt relieved because it was one that I knew, and above all I was so eager to play again. When they announced I’d triumphed, the venue exploded.

The moment is hazy. I think I lost consciousness from surprise. Then everyone started chanting the classic tune the anthem Rockin' in the Free World and hoisted me on to their shoulders. Justin Howard – AKA his stage name – a past winner and one of my best pals, was holding me. I shed tears. I was the inaugural from Finland air guitar global winner in two and a half decades. The prior titleholder, the former champion, was there, too. He gave me the biggest hug and said it was “finally happening”.

Our global network is like a support system. Our guiding saying is “Make air, not war”. It sounds silly, but it’s a genuine belief. Competitors come from many countries, and each person is helpful and motivating. As you prepare to compete, all participants comes and hugs you. Then for 60 seconds you’re allowed to be free, humorous, the biggest rock star in the world.

I’m also a drummer and musician in a band with my sibling called the group title, referencing Gareth Southgate, as we’re inspired by UK rock and post-punk. I’ve been working in bars for a few years now, and I create short films and performance clips. The victory hasn’t changed my day-to-day life too much but I’ve been doing a many interviews, and I aspire it brings more creative work. Oulu will be a European capital of culture soon, so there are great prospects.

At present, I’m just grateful: for the network, for the opportunity to play, and for that budding enthusiast who picked up a newspaper and thought, “That's for me.”