I Became the Air Guitar World Champion
Back when I was 10, I read about a story in my community gazette about the Global Air Guitar Contest, which take place every year in my native city of Oulu, Finland. My family had participated at the inaugural contest back in 1996 – my mother distributed flyers, my dad managed the music. Since then, national championships have been held globally, with the champions assembling in Oulu each August.
Back then, I requested permission if I could compete. At first they were hesitant; the competition was in a bar, and there would be an older crowd. They believed it might be an overwhelming atmosphere, but I was set on it.
During childhood, I was always miming air guitar, miming along to the most popular rock tunes with my imaginary instrument. My parents were enthusiasts – my dad loved Bruce Springsteen and the Irish rock band. AC/DC was the initial group I discovered on my own. the lead guitarist, the frontman guitarist, was my idol.
Upon entering the spotlight, I did my routine to the band's Whole Lotta Rosie. The spectators started yelling “Angus”, similar to the concert version, and it dawned on me: this is what it feels like to be a rock star. I made it to the finals, playing to hundreds of people in the town square, and I was hooked. I earned the moniker “Little Angus” that day.
After that I stopped. I was a referee one year, and opened for the show another time, but I didn’t compete. I went back at 18, experimented with various stage names, but people kept calling me “Little Angus” so I decided to own it and adopt “The Angus” as my stage name. I’ve qualified for the last round annually from 2022 onward, and in 2023 I came second, so I was determined to win this year.
The air guitar community is like a close-knit group. The saying we live by is ‘Make air, not war’. It may seem funny, but it’s a genuine belief.
The competition itself is competitive but uplifting. Participants have a short window to deliver maximum effort – high-powered performance, precise mimicry, stage magnetism – on an nonexistent axe. Adjudicators rate you on a point range from a specific numeric range. If scores are equal, there’s an “tiebreaker” between the remaining participants: a track is selected and you freestyle.
Getting ready is key. I chose an the band Avenged Sevenfold song for my routine. I had it on repeat for multiple weeks. I stretched constantly, trying to get my lower body loose enough to jump, my digits nimble enough to imitate guitar parts and my spine ready for those bends and jumps. By the time the event arrived, I could sense the music in my being.
Once all acts were done, the results were tallied, and I had drawn with the titleholder from Japan, a competitor known as Sudo-chan – it was moment for an tiebreaker. We went head-to-head to the Guns N’ Roses hit by the rock group. As the music started, I felt at ease because it was familiar to me, and more than anything I was so thrilled to have another go. As they declared I’d triumphed, the square erupted.
My memory is blurry. I think I blacked out from shock. Then the crowd started singing Neil Young’s the anthem Rockin' in the Free World and hoisted me on to their arms. Justin Howard – AKA his stage name – a former champion and one of my best pals, was embracing me. I shed tears. I was Finland’s first air guitar international titleholder in a quarter-century. The prior titleholder, the earlier victor, was there, too. He bestowed upon me the biggest hug and said it was “about damn time”.
Our global network is like a close-knit group. The phrase we live by is “Create music, not conflict”. Though it appears comical, but it’s a true way of life. Participants come from globally, and everyone is positive and uplifting. Before you go on stage, each contestant comes and hugs you. Then for a brief period you’re allowed to be free, silly, the ultimate music icon in the world.
Besides that, I'm a beat keeper and string player in a band with my sibling called the band name, named after the football manager, as we’re inspired by UK rock and post-punk. I’ve been serving drinks for a short time, and I direct mini movies and music videos. Winning hasn’t affected my daily activities drastically but I’ve been doing a extensive media, and I wish it results in more creative work. The city will be a European capital of culture the coming year, so there are great prospects.
Currently, I’m just appreciative: for the group, for the chance to perform, and for that budding enthusiast who picked up a newspaper and thought, “That's for me.”