I Am the Imaginary Guitar World Champion

Back when I was 10, I read about a story in my hometown newspaper about the World Air Guitar Competition, which take place every year in my hometown of Oulu, Finland. My family had volunteered at the inaugural contest starting from 1996 – my mother distributed flyers, dad managed the music. Since then, country-level contests have been staged globally, with the winners gathering in Oulu annually.

At the time, I asked my parents if I could compete. They weren't sure at first; the event was in a bar, and there would be a lot of adults. They believed it might be an daunting atmosphere, but I was determined.

In my youth, I was always “playing” air guitar, acting out to the biggest rock tunes with my invisible instrument. My parents were lovers of music – dad loved Springsteen and the Irish rock band. AC/DC was the original act I discovered on my own. the lead guitarist, the frontman guitarist, was my inspiration.

Upon entering the spotlight, I played my set to the band's that classic track. The crowd started yelling “Angus”, similar to the album track, and it struck me: this is what it feels like to be a rock star. I advanced to the last round, competing to hundreds of people in the town square, and I was addicted. I earned the moniker “Little Angus” that day.

After that I stopped. I was a judge one year, and started the show another time, but I didn’t compete. I went 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 made it to the final every year since 2022, and in 2023 I was the runner-up, so I was resolved to claim victory this year.

Our global network is like a support system. The saying we live by is ‘Play air guitar, avoid battles’. It sounds silly, but it’s a true ethos.

The competition itself is intense but joyful. Contestants have 60 seconds to put their all – dynamic presence, perfect mime, performance charm – on an invisible guitar. The panel score you on a scale from four to six. When it's a draw, there’s an “showdown” between the final two contestants: a track is selected and you create on the spot.

Getting ready is key. I chose an Avenged Sevenfold song for my routine. I played it repeatedly for multiple weeks. I practiced flexibility, trying to get my lower body prepared enough to leap, my fingers fast enough to copy riffs and my upper body ready for those moves and leaps. By the time the big day came, I could sense the music in my bones.

Once all acts were done, the results were tallied, and I had drawn with the winner from Japan, Yuta “Sudo-chan” Sudo – it was occasion for an tiebreaker. We faced off to Sweet Child o’ Mine by the iconic band. As the music started, I felt relieved because it was familiar to me, and more than anything I was so eager to play again. When they announced I’d emerged victorious, the area exploded.

My memory is blurry. I think I blacked out from the excitement. Then everyone started chanting the song Rockin’ in the Free World and raised me up on to their shoulders. One of the greats – alias Nordic Thunder – a past winner and one of my closest friends, was hugging me. I wept. I was the first Finnish air guitar global winner in 25 years. The earlier winner from Finland, the earlier victor, was also present. He gave me the biggest hug and said it was “finally happening”.

Our global network is like a close-knit group. Our guiding saying is “Make air, not war”. Though it appears comical, but it’s a real philosophy. People come from globally, and all involved is helpful and motivating. Before you go on stage, all participants comes and hugs you. Then for a brief period you’re allowed to be uninhibited, silly, the ultimate music icon in the world.

I’m also a beat keeper and musician in a band with my brother called the group title, inspired by the sports figure, as we’re inspired by British music genres. I’ve been serving drinks for a few years now, and I create independent videos and music videos. The title hasn’t affected my daily activities significantly but I’ve been doing a extensive media, and I aspire it results in more creative work. The city will be a cultural hub next year, so there are great prospects.

Currently, I’m just thankful: for the community, for the chance to perform, and for that little kid who read an article and thought, “I want to do that.”