I Am the Imaginary Guitar World Champion

At the age of 10, I read about a feature in my local paper about the Global Air Guitar Contest, that happens every year in my hometown of Oulu, Finland. My family had participated at the inaugural contest starting from 1996 – mom handed out flyers, dad sorted the music. Since then, country-level contests have been organized globally, with the champions converging in Oulu each August.

Initially, I requested permission if I could participate. At first they were hesitant; the show was in a bar, and there would be a lot of adults. They felt it might be an intimidating atmosphere, but I was resolved.

In my youth, I was always miming air guitar, acting out to the biggest rock tunes with my invisible instrument. My parents were enthusiasts – my father loved Bruce Springsteen and the Irish rock band. AC/DC was the initial group I discovered on my own. the lead guitarist, the guitar hero, was my hero.

As I took the stage, I played my set to AC/DC’s Whole Lotta Rosie. The crowd started yelling “Angus”, reminiscent of the concert version, and it dawned on me: so this is to be a music icon. I reached the championship, playing to hundreds of people in the town square, and I was captivated. I was dubbed “Little Angus” that day.

Later I paused. I was a adjudicator one year, and started the show once more, but I didn’t compete. I came back at 18, tried a few different stage names, but people kept calling me “Little Angus” so I embraced it and make “The Angus” as my stage name. I’ve made it to the final every year since 2022, and in 2023 I was the runner-up, so I was set to take the title this year.

The air guitar community is like a close-knit group. The saying we live by is ‘Make air, not war’. Though it appears humorous, but it’s a real philosophy.

The contest is intense but joyful. Contestants have a short window to give everything – high-powered performance, precise mimicry, rock star charisma – on an invisible guitar. Judges score you on a scale from 4.0 to 6.0. If scores are equal, there’s an “tiebreaker” between the final two contestants: a track is selected and you improvise.

Getting ready is key. I chose an Avenged Sevenfold song for my performance. I had it on repeat for weeks. I practiced flexibility, trying to get my lower body loose enough to jump, my fingers quick enough to imitate guitar parts and my upper body prepared for those moves and leaps. Once competition day came, I could internalize the track in my being.

When the show concluded, the scores came in, and I had drawn with the titleholder from Japan, a competitor known as Sudo-chan – it was moment for an final showdown. We competed directly to that classic rock anthem by the rock group. Once the track began, I felt comforted because it was familiar to me, and primarily I was so eager to perform one more time. Once the results were read I’d won, the square went wild.

The moment is hazy. I think I lost consciousness from shock. Then the crowd started singing Neil Young’s Rockin’ in the Free World and hoisted me on to their shoulders. One of the greats – alias Nordic Thunder – a former champion and one of my best pals, was embracing me. I shed tears. I was the inaugural from Finland air guitar international titleholder in 25 years. The prior titleholder, Markus “Black Raven” Vainionpää, was there, too. He offered me the warmest embrace and said it was “finally happening”.

The air guitar community is like a close-knit group. Our guiding saying is “Create music, not conflict”. It may seem humorous, but it’s a real philosophy. Competitors come from globally, and each person is supportive and encouraging. As you prepare to compete, every competitor shows support. Then for one minute you’re free to be free, playful, the ultimate music icon in the world.

Besides that, I'm a drummer and guitarist in a musical act with my family member called the band name, named after the sports figure, as we’re fans of Britpop and new wave. I’ve been working in bars for a few years now, and I create short films and performance clips. The victory hasn’t altered my routine too much but I’ve been doing a lot of press, and I wish it leads to more innovative opportunities. Oulu will be a European capital of culture the coming year, so there are great prospects.

For now, I’m just grateful: for the group, for the ability to compete, and for that young child who picked up a newspaper and thought, “I want to do that.”