I Became the Imaginary Guitar International Titleholder
When I was just 10, I came across a feature in my community gazette about the Air Guitar World Championships, that happens every year in my hometown of Oulu, Finland. My parents had volunteered at the very first contest starting from 1996 – my mum handed out flyers, dad sorted the music. Ever since, domestic competitions have been staged globally, with the titleholders gathering in Oulu each August.
At the time, I inquired with my family if I could participate. They weren't sure at first; the show was in a bar, and there would be an older crowd. They believed it might be an intimidating atmosphere, but I was determined.
As a kid, I was always miming air guitar, pretending to play to the most popular rock tunes with my invisible instrument. My family were lovers of music – dad loved Springsteen and U2. AC/DC was the initial group I discovered on my own. the guitarist, the lead guitarist, was my inspiration.
As I took the stage, I performed my act to the band's that classic track. The audience started shouting “Angus”, similar to the concert version, and it hit me: so this is to be a guitar hero. I advanced to the last round, competing to a large audience in the public plaza, and I was hooked. I was dubbed “Little Angus” that day.
After that I stopped. I was a judge one year, and opened for the show another time, but I didn't participate. I went back at 18, tested out several stage names, but fans continued using “Little Angus” so I embraced it and make “The Angus” as my artist name. I’ve qualified for the last round annually from 2022 onward, and in 2023 I was the runner-up, so I was resolved to take the title this year.
Our global network is like a support system. Our guiding principle is ‘Make air, not war’. Though it appears humorous, but it’s a genuine belief.
The competition itself is high-energy yet fun. Contestants have one minute to give everything – explosive energy, precise mimicry, stage magnetism – on an nonexistent axe. Adjudicators rate you on a grading system from four to six. When it's a draw, there’s an “air-off” between the final two contestants: a song plays and you create on the spot.
Training is crucial. I picked an Avenged Sevenfold song for my act. I had it on repeat for multiple weeks. I stretched constantly, trying to get my legs prepared enough to bound, my digits quick enough to mimic solos and my back prepared for those moves and leaps. When the big day came, I could sense the music in my bones.
When the show concluded, the scores came in, and I had drawn with the Japanese champion, the Japanese titleholder – it was moment for an air-off. We competed directly to the Guns N’ Roses hit by Guns N’ Roses. As the music started, I felt at ease because it was familiar to me, and above all I was so eager to play again. Once the results were read I’d emerged victorious, the area erupted.
My memory is blurry. I think I zoned out from shock. Then all present started singing the song that well-known track and raised me up on to their shoulders. A former champion – also known as Nordic Thunder – a former champion and one of my dear companions, was hugging me. I wept. I was the inaugural from Finland air guitar international titleholder in a quarter-century. The prior titleholder, Markus “Black Raven” Vainionpää, was in attendance as well. He offered me the biggest hug and said it was “finally happening”.
The air guitar community is like a family. Our motto is “Make air, not war”. It may seem humorous, but it’s a true way of life. People come from globally, and everyone is helpful and motivating. As you prepare to compete, every competitor offers an embrace. Then for a brief period you’re allowed to be yourself, silly, the ultimate music icon in the world.
Besides that, I'm a beat keeper and musician in a musical act with my brother called the band name, referencing Gareth Southgate, as we’re inspired by British music genres. I’ve been working in bars for a couple of years, and I direct short films and performance clips. The title hasn’t affected my daily activities drastically but I’ve been doing a lot of press, and I hope it results in more artistic projects. The city will be a designated cultural center the coming year, so there are promising opportunities.
At present, I’m just thankful: for the network, for the chance to perform, and for that budding enthusiast who picked up a newspaper and thought, “I'd love to try that.”