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At the age of 10, I discovered a article in my local paper about the Air Guitar World Championships, held annually every year in my native city of Oulu, Finland. My parents had helped out at the pioneering contest back in 1996 – my mum distributed flyers, my dad organized the music. Since then, domestic competitions have been staged in many nations, with the winners gathering in Oulu every summer.

At the time, I inquired with my family if I could compete. They weren't sure at first; the event was in a bar, and there would be an older crowd. They believed it might be an daunting atmosphere, but I was set on it.

As a kid, I was always performing air guitar, pretending to play to the iconic rock tunes with my make-believe instrument. Mom and Dad were enthusiasts – my dad loved The Boss and the Irish rock band. AC/DC was the original act I found independently. the guitarist, the frontman guitarist, was my inspiration.

As I took the stage, I played my set to the band's the song Whole Lotta Rosie. The audience started shouting “Angus”, just like the live recording, and it dawned on me: this is what it feels like to be a rock star. I advanced to the last round, playing to hundreds of people in the town square, and I was hooked. I got the nickname “Little Angus” that day.

Then I took a break. I was a judge one year, and kicked off 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 artist name. I’ve made it to the final annually from 2022 onward, and in 2023 I was the runner-up, so I was set to claim victory this year.

The worldwide group is like a close-knit group. The saying we live by is ‘Play air guitar, avoid battles’. Though it appears humorous, but it’s a real philosophy.

The competition itself is competitive but uplifting. Participants have a short window to deliver maximum effort – high-powered performance, perfect mime, rock star charisma – on an nonexistent axe. The panel score you on a point range from four to six. When it's a draw, there’s an “showdown” between the last two competitors: a song plays and you create on the spot.

Preparation is everything. I selected an Avenged Sevenfold song for my routine. I listened to it on a loop for weeks. I did regular stretches, trying to get my lower body prepared enough to jump, my hands quick enough to mimic solos and my upper body ready for those moves and leaps. Once competition day dawned, I could sense the music in my bones.

When the show concluded, the scores came in, and I had matched with the titleholder from Japan, the Japanese titleholder – it was moment for an air-off. We competed directly to that classic rock anthem by the iconic band. Once the track began, I felt comforted because it was one that I knew, and primarily I was so eager to have another go. Once the results were read I’d won, the square went wild.

It's all a bit fuzzy. I think I blacked out from surprise. Then all present started singing the song that well-known track and lifted me on to their arms. Justin Howard – also known as Nordic Thunder – a past winner and one of my dear companions, was hugging me. I wept. I was the inaugural from Finland air guitar international titleholder in two and a half decades. The prior titleholder, the former champion, was there, too. He bestowed upon me the most heartfelt squeeze and said it was “finally happening”.

The air guitar community 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 globally, and each person is supportive and encouraging. Before you go on stage, each contestant shows support. Then for 60 seconds you’re free to be yourself, playful, the biggest rock star in the world.

Besides that, I'm a beat keeper and guitarist in a musical act with my brother called the Southgates, inspired by Gareth Southgate, as we’re influenced by UK rock and post-punk. I’ve been working in bars for a short time, and I produce mini movies and music videos. The title hasn’t changed my day-to-day life significantly but I’ve been doing a many interviews, and I hope it results in more creative work. My hometown will be a designated cultural center next year, so there are promising opportunities.

Currently, I’m just appreciative: for the community, for the opportunity to play, and for that little kid who picked up a newspaper and thought, “I want to do that.”