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When I was just 10, I read about a feature in my local paper about the Global Air Guitar Contest, which take place every year in my birthplace of Oulu, Finland. My parents had participated at the very first contest starting from 1996 – mom gave out flyers, my father organized the music. Ever since, country-level contests have been staged in many nations, with the titleholders gathering in Oulu every summer.

Initially, I requested permission if I could participate. 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 daunting atmosphere, but I was determined.

During childhood, I was always “playing” air guitar, miming along to the biggest rock tunes with my invisible instrument. Mom and Dad were lovers of music – dad loved Springsteen and the Irish rock band. AC/DC was the initial group I found independently. the guitarist, the guitar hero, was my hero.

As I took the stage, I performed my act to the band's the song Whole Lotta Rosie. The crowd started yelling “Angus”, reminiscent of the live recording, and it struck me: this is what it feels like to be a rock star. I advanced to the last round, performing to hundreds of people in Oulu’s market square, and I was addicted. I earned the moniker “Little Angus” that day.

Then I took a break. I was a judge one year, and started the show once more, but I stayed out of the contest. I went back at 18, tested out several stage names, but everyone still referred to me as “Little Angus” so I decided to own it and adopt “The Angus” as my performance alias. I’ve reached the finals annually from 2022 onward, and in 2023 I was the runner-up, so I was set to win this year.

Our global network is like a family. The saying we live by is ‘Create music, not conflict’. Though it appears humorous, but it’s a true ethos.

The competition itself is high-energy yet fun. Competitors have 60 seconds to put their all – dynamic presence, flawless imitation, rock star charisma – on an invisible guitar. The panel rate you on a scale from 4.0 to 6.0. When it's a draw, there’s an “showdown” between the remaining participants: a track is selected and you improvise.

Getting ready is key. I chose an the band Avenged Sevenfold song for my routine. I had it on repeat for a long time. I stretched constantly, trying to get my legs flexible enough to leap, my hands quick enough to copy riffs and my back set for those gestures and hops. Once competition day came, I could internalize the track in my being.

After everyone had performed, the points were announced, and I had matched with the titleholder from Japan, the Japanese titleholder – it was moment for an tiebreaker. We competed directly to Sweet Child o’ Mine by the rock group. Once the track began, I felt comforted because it was familiar to me, and more than anything I was so thrilled to have another go. When they announced I’d won, the area erupted.

It's all a bit fuzzy. I think I lost consciousness from the excitement. Then the crowd started singing the song Rockin’ in the Free World and raised me up on to their arms. Justin Howard – alias his stage name – a previous titleholder and one of my closest friends, was embracing me. I shed tears. I was Finland’s first air guitar international titleholder in two and a half decades. The previous Finnish champion, the former champion, was also present. He bestowed upon me the most heartfelt squeeze and said it was “finally happening”.

This worldwide group is like a family. Our guiding saying is “Create music, not conflict”. Though it appears comical, but it’s a genuine belief. Participants come from globally, and each person is helpful and motivating. As you prepare to compete, every competitor offers an embrace. Then for one minute you’re free to be free, humorous, the top performer in the world.

Besides that, I'm a percussionist and string player in a band with my family member called the band name, named after Gareth Southgate, as we’re fans of Britpop and new wave. I’ve been bartending for a couple of years, and I direct short films and performance clips. The title hasn’t altered my routine 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 soon, so there are great prospects.

At present, I’m just thankful: for the community, for the chance to perform, and for that little kid who picked up a newspaper and thought, “I'd love to try that.”