I was just 10 years old when I stumbled upon an article in the local newspaper discussing the Air Guitar World Championships, held annually in my hometown of Oulu, Finland. My parents had participated in the inaugural event back in 1996 – my mother distributed flyers, while my father managed the music. Since then, national titles have been contested all over the globe, culminating in a gathering of winners in Oulu every summer.
At that moment, I inquired with my parents whether I could join in the competition. Initially, they were unsure; the venue was a bar filled with many adults. They feared it could be a daunting environment, but I was resolute.
As a child, I frequently “performed” air guitar, mimicking my favorite rock hits with an imaginary instrument. My parents were music enthusiasts – my dad adored Bruce Springsteen and U2. AC/DC was the first band I discovered on my own, and Angus Young, the lead guitarist, became my idol.
When I took to the stage, I performed my routine to AC/DC’s Whole Lotta Rosie. The audience began chanting “Angus”, just like in the live version, and I realized: this is the feeling of being a rock star. I reached the finals, playing in front of hundreds in Oulu’s market square, and I was hooked. That day, I earned the nickname “Little Angus”.
Afterward, I took a hiatus. I acted as a judge one year and had the opportunity to open for the show another time, but I didn’t participate competitively. When I turned 18, I returned and experimented with various stage names, but people continued referring to me as “Little Angus”, so I embraced it and adopted “The Angus” as my stage identity. Since 2022, I’ve reached the finals every year, and in 2023 I finished second, fueling my determination to win this year.
The competition itself is both intense and exhilarating. Participants have 60 seconds to deliver everything – powerful energy, flawless miming, rock star charisma – while pretending to play an invisible guitar. Judges rate performances on a scale from 4.0 to 6.0. In the event of a tie, an “air-off” occurs between the last two contestants: a song plays and you must improvise.
Preparation is crucial. I selected an Avenged Sevenfold song for my routine and listened to it repeatedly for weeks. I constantly stretched, working to loosen my legs for jumps, speed up my fingers for solos, and prepare my back for those bends and leaps. By the time the competition arrived, I could feel the song coursing through me.
After all performances, the scores were revealed, and I had tied with the Japanese champion, Yuta “Sudo-chan” Sudo – it was time for an air-off. We went against each other to Sweet Child o’ Mine by Guns N’ Roses. Upon hearing the track, I felt a wave of relief since I was familiar with it, and I was incredibly eager to perform one last time. When the announcement came that I had won, the square erupted in cheers.
The moment is somewhat unclear in my memory. I believe I blanked out from disbelief. Then everyone began singing Neil Young’s Rockin’ in the Free World and lifted me onto their shoulders. Justin Howard – known as Nordic Thunder – a former champion and one of my closest friends, was embracing me. I cried. I had become Finland’s first air guitar world champion in 25 years. The former Finnish champion, Markus “Black Raven” Vainionpää, was also present. He gave me the most heartfelt hug and said it was “about damn time”.
The air guitar community feels like a family. Our slogan is “Make air, not war”. It may sound silly, but it embodies a genuine philosophy. People travel from all corners of the world, and everyone is encouraging and supportive. Before stepping on stage, every competitor comes to hug you. Then, for 60 seconds, you’re granted the freedom to be silly, to embody the world’s biggest rock star.
I’m also a drummer and guitarist in a band with my brother called the Southgates, named after Gareth Southgate, influenced by Britpop and new wave. I’ve been bartending for a few years, and I also direct short films and music videos. Though winning hasn’t drastically altered my daily life, I’ve been involved in extensive press activities, and I hope this leads to further creative opportunities. Oulu will be a European capital of culture next year, so exciting things are on the horizon.
For the time being, I’m simply thankful: for the community, for the opportunity to perform, and for that little child who picked up a newspaper and thought, “I want to do that.”
As told to Emma Loffhagen
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