I Am the Air Guitar Global Winner

Back when I was 10, I read about a story in my hometown newspaper about the Air Guitar World Championships, that happens every year in my native city of Oulu, Finland. Mom and Dad had volunteered at the inaugural contest back in 1996 – my mother gave out flyers, my dad managed the music. Since then, domestic competitions have been held all across the world, with the winners assembling in Oulu annually.

At the time, I requested permission if I could participate. Initially they had doubts; the event was in a bar, and there would be an older crowd. They believed it might be an intimidating atmosphere, but I was resolved.

As a kid, I was always “playing” air guitar, pretending to play to the biggest rock tunes with my imaginary instrument. Mom and Dad were enthusiasts – dad loved Bruce Springsteen and the Irish rock band. AC/DC was the original act I found independently. Angus Young, the frontman guitarist, was my hero.

As I took the stage, I did my routine to the band's the song Whole Lotta Rosie. The spectators started yelling “Angus”, similar to the concert version, and it struck me: this is what it feels like to be a guitar hero. I reached the championship, playing to a large audience in the public plaza, and I was hooked. I got the nickname “Little Angus” that day.

After that I stopped. I was a judge one year, and kicked off the show another time, but I didn't participate. I returned at 18, tested out several stage names, but fans continued using “Little Angus” so I decided to own it and choose “The Angus” as my performance alias. I’ve qualified for the last round annually from 2022 onward, and in 2023 I came second, so I was determined to win this year.

Our global network is like a support system. Our motto is ‘Make air, not war’. It may seem funny, but it’s a genuine belief.

The contest is competitive but uplifting. Participants have 60 seconds to deliver maximum effort – high-powered performance, precise mimicry, stage magnetism – on an invisible guitar. Judges score 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 tune begins and you improvise.

Preparation is everything. I selected an a metal group song for my performance. I listened to it on a loop for a long time. I stretched constantly, trying to get my limbs flexible enough to leap, my hands fast enough to mimic solos and my back prepared for those gestures and hops. Once competition day dawned, I could sense the music in my being.

When the show concluded, the results were tallied, and I had tied with the titleholder from Japan, the Japanese titleholder – it was moment for an tiebreaker. We went head-to-head to Sweet Child o’ Mine by Guns N’ Roses. Once the track began, I felt relieved because it was one that I knew, and more than anything I was so eager to play again. As they declared I’d won, the square exploded.

The moment is hazy. I think I blacked out from surprise. Then the crowd started chanting the classic tune the anthem Rockin' in the Free World and hoisted me on to their arms. A former champion – alias Nordic Thunder – a former champion and one of my closest friends, was embracing me. I cried. I was the first Finnish air guitar world champion in a quarter-century. The earlier winner from Finland, Markus “Black Raven” Vainionpää, was also present. He gave me the warmest embrace and said it was “about damn time”.

The air guitar community is like a support system. The phrase we live by is “Make air, not war”. Though it appears comical, but it’s a genuine belief. Participants come from all over the world, and everyone is positive and uplifting. Before you go on stage, each contestant offers an embrace. Then for 60 seconds you’re able to be yourself, silly, the top performer in the world.

Additionally, I am a percussionist and string player in a band with my family member called the group title, inspired by the football manager, as we’re fans of British music genres. I’ve been working in bars for a short time, and I produce mini movies and song visuals. The victory hasn’t affected my daily activities too much but I’ve been doing a lot of press, and I wish it results in more innovative opportunities. The city will be a European capital of culture next year, so there are exciting things ahead.

Currently, I’m just thankful: for the group, for the opportunity to play, and for that little kid who found a story and thought, “I'd love to try that.”