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When I was just 10, I read about a story in my hometown newspaper about the Air Guitar World Championships, held annually every year in my native city of Oulu, Finland. My parents had volunteered at the inaugural contest starting from 1996 – my mother handed out flyers, dad sorted the music. Since then, country-level contests have been staged in many nations, with the titleholders gathering in Oulu annually.

Back then, I inquired with my family if I could participate. At first they were hesitant; the show was in a bar, and there would be many grown-ups. They believed it might be an daunting atmosphere, but I was set on it.

During childhood, I was always “playing” air guitar, acting out to the iconic rock tunes with my imaginary instrument. Mom and Dad were enthusiasts – my dad loved The Boss and U2. the Australian rockers was the original act I discovered on my own. the guitarist, the guitar hero, was my idol.

When I stepped on stage, I played my set to the band's the song Whole Lotta Rosie. The audience started chanting “Angus”, just like the album track, and it dawned on me: so this is to be a rock star. I made it to the finals, playing to a large audience in the town square, and I was addicted. I earned the moniker “Little Angus” that day.

Later I paused. I was a referee one year, and opened for the show once more, but I didn't participate. I came back at 18, experimented with various stage names, but everyone still referred to me as “Little Angus” so I accepted it fully and choose “The Angus” as my artist name. I’ve reached the finals each competition since then, and in 2023 I came second, so I was determined to win this year.

Our global network is like a support system. Our guiding principle is ‘Create music, not conflict’. Though it appears humorous, but it’s a true ethos.

The competition itself is intense but joyful. Competitors have a short window to deliver maximum effort – explosive energy, perfect mime, performance charm – 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 remaining participants: a song plays and you create on the spot.

Getting ready is key. I chose an the band Avenged Sevenfold song for my performance. I listened to it on a loop for a long time. I did regular stretches, trying to get my limbs flexible enough to bound, my hands quick enough to imitate guitar parts and my spine set for those moves and leaps. By the time competition day arrived, I could sense the music in my being.

When the show concluded, the results were tallied, and I had tied with the titleholder from Japan, a competitor known as Sudo-chan – it was moment for an tiebreaker. We faced off to that classic rock anthem by the rock group. As the music started, I felt comforted because it was one that I knew, and above all I was so excited to have another go. When they announced I’d triumphed, the area went wild.

It's all a bit fuzzy. I think I lost consciousness from the excitement. Then all present started singing the classic tune that well-known track and raised me up on to their arms. Justin Howard – also known as his stage name – a former champion and one of my best pals, was holding me. I cried. I was Finland’s first air guitar world champion in a quarter-century. The earlier winner from Finland, Markus “Black Raven” Vainionpää, was also present. He offered me the most heartfelt squeeze and said it was “finally happening”.

Our global network is like a support system. The phrase we live by is “Make air, not war”. It may seem humorous, but it’s a genuine belief. People come from all over the world, and everyone is helpful and motivating. Before you go on stage, each contestant offers an embrace. Then for one minute you’re able to be uninhibited, humorous, the biggest rock star in the world.

I’m also a percussionist and string player in a musical act with my sibling called the Southgates, inspired by the sports figure, as we’re fans of British music genres. I’ve been working in bars for a short time, and I direct short films and performance clips. Winning hasn’t altered my routine too much but I’ve been doing a extensive media, and I wish it leads to more artistic projects. My hometown will be a European capital of culture the coming year, so there are exciting things ahead.

For now, I’m just thankful: for the network, for the opportunity to play, and for that budding enthusiast who found a story and thought, “That's for me.”