I Became the Air Guitar International Titleholder
Back when I was 10, I came across a article in my community gazette about the Air Guitar World Championships, which take place every year in my birthplace of Oulu, Finland. My parents had participated at the pioneering contest since 1996 – my mother handed out flyers, dad sorted the music. Since then, country-level contests have been held globally, with the champions gathering in Oulu every summer.
Back then, I requested permission if I could enter. At first they were hesitant; the event was in a bar, and there would be a lot of adults. They felt it might be an daunting atmosphere, but I was determined.
As a kid, I was always miming air guitar, pretending to play to the biggest rock tunes with my invisible instrument. My family were music fans – my dad loved Springsteen and the Irish rock band. the band AC/DC was the initial group I found independently. the guitarist, the frontman guitarist, was my hero.
When I stepped on stage, I performed my act to AC/DC’s the song Whole Lotta Rosie. The audience started shouting “Angus”, similar to the live recording, and it hit me: this is what it feels like to be a music icon. I made it to the finals, performing to hundreds of people in the public plaza, and I was hooked. I was dubbed “Little Angus” that day.
Later I paused. I was a adjudicator 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 embraced it and make “The Angus” as my performance alias. I’ve made it to the final each competition since then, and in 2023 I was the runner-up, so I was set to win this year.
The worldwide group is like a close-knit group. Our guiding principle is ‘Create music, not conflict’. It may seem funny, but it’s a real philosophy.
The contest is intense but joyful. Competitors have one minute to put their all – high-powered performance, perfect mime, performance charm – on an invisible guitar. Judges rate you on a grading system from 4.0 to 6.0. When it's a draw, there’s an “showdown” between the remaining participants: a tune begins and you improvise.
Preparation is everything. I chose an Avenged Sevenfold song for my act. I played it repeatedly for a long time. I did regular stretches, trying to get my limbs loose enough to bound, my digits nimble enough to imitate guitar parts and my spine set for those gestures and hops. By the time the big day dawned, I could sense the music in my bones.
After everyone had performed, the scores came in, and I had tied with the winner from Japan, Yuta “Sudo-chan” Sudo – it was time for an tiebreaker. We faced off to Sweet Child o’ Mine by the iconic band. Once the track began, I felt at ease because it was one that I knew, and more than anything I was so excited to perform one more time. As they declared I’d emerged victorious, the venue exploded.
My memory is blurry. I think I zoned out from the excitement. Then the crowd started performing the classic tune Rockin’ in the Free World and lifted me on to their arms. A former champion – alias his performer title – a previous titleholder and one of my dear companions, was embracing me. I cried. I was the first Finnish air guitar world champion in a quarter-century. The previous Finnish champion, Markus “Black Raven” Vainionpää, was also present. He bestowed upon me the warmest embrace and said it was “long overdue”.
This worldwide group is like a family. Our guiding saying is “Focus on fun, not fighting”. It may seem humorous, but it’s a genuine belief. Participants come from many countries, and each person is positive and uplifting. Before you go on stage, all participants comes and hugs you. Then for 60 seconds you’re able to be yourself, humorous, the biggest rock star in the world.
Additionally, I am a percussionist and string player in a group with my family member called the Southgates, named after the football manager, 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. The title hasn’t changed my day-to-day life too much but I’ve been doing a lot of press, and I aspire it results in more innovative opportunities. The city will be a cultural hub soon, so there are exciting things ahead.
For now, I’m just grateful: for the community, for the chance to perform, and for that young child who read an article and thought, “I want to do that.”
