I Became the Air Guitar Global Winner
At the age of 10, I came across a article in my hometown newspaper about the Global Air Guitar Contest, which take place every year in my native city of Oulu, Finland. My parents had helped out at the pioneering contest back in 1996 – mom handed out flyers, dad managed the music. From that point, country-level contests have been staged all across the world, with the winners gathering in Oulu every summer.
Back then, I asked my parents if I could enter. They weren't sure at first; the show was in a bar, and there would be a lot of adults. They believed it might be an intimidating atmosphere, but I was determined.
During childhood, I was always miming air guitar, miming along to the most popular rock tunes with my invisible instrument. My family were lovers of music – my dad loved The Boss and U2. the band AC/DC was the original act I discovered on my own. the guitarist, the frontman guitarist, was my inspiration.
When I stepped on stage, I played my set to AC/DC’s that classic track. The audience started yelling “Angus”, reminiscent of the album track, and it hit me: this must be to be a rock star. I reached the championship, competing to hundreds of people in Oulu’s market square, and I was hooked. I earned the moniker “Little Angus” that day.
Then I took a break. I was a judge one year, and kicked off the show once more, but I didn’t compete. I returned 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 performance alias. I’ve made it to the final every year since 2022, and in 2023 I placed second, so I was resolved to win this year.
Our global network is like a close-knit group. The saying we live by is ‘Play air guitar, avoid battles’. It may seem funny, but it’s a true ethos.
The event is high-energy yet fun. Participants have one minute to deliver maximum effort – explosive energy, precise mimicry, rock star charisma – on an nonexistent axe. Judges evaluate you on a scale from four to six. If scores are equal, there’s an “showdown” between the final two contestants: a song plays and you freestyle.
Preparation is everything. I chose an Avenged Sevenfold song for my routine. I listened to it on a loop for multiple weeks. I did regular stretches, trying to get my limbs prepared enough to jump, my hands fast enough to mimic solos and my back prepared for those gestures and hops. By the time the event came, I could internalize the track in my bones.
After everyone had performed, the scores came in, and I had drawn with the winner from Japan, a competitor known as Sudo-chan – it was occasion for an air-off. We faced off to Sweet Child o’ Mine by the iconic band. Once the track began, I felt comforted because it was one that I knew, and above all I was so eager to perform one more time. Once the results were read I’d emerged victorious, the venue went wild.
My memory is blurry. I think I zoned out from surprise. Then everyone started performing Neil Young’s the anthem Rockin' in the Free World and raised me up on to their backs. A former champion – also known as his performer title – a past winner and one of my best pals, was holding me. I cried. I was Finland’s first air guitar international titleholder in a quarter-century. The earlier winner from Finland, Markus “Black Raven” Vainionpää, was there, too. He bestowed upon me the warmest embrace and said it was “finally happening”.
This worldwide group is like a support system. Our guiding saying is “Make air, not war”. It sounds silly, but it’s a genuine belief. People come from all over the world, and all involved is positive and uplifting. Before you go on stage, each contestant shows support. Then for a brief period you’re free to be uninhibited, humorous, the biggest rock star in the world.
Additionally, I am a percussionist and guitarist in a group with my family member called the group title, inspired by the football manager, as we’re fans of Britpop and new wave. I’ve been bartending for a couple of years, and I produce independent videos and music videos. The title hasn’t affected my daily activities significantly but I’ve been doing a lot of press, and I hope it leads to more creative work. Oulu will be a cultural hub soon, so there are great prospects.
At present, I’m just grateful: for the network, for the ability to compete, and for that young child who found a story and thought, “That's for me.”
