I Became the Air Guitar International Titleholder
At the age of 10, I came across a feature in my local paper about the World Air Guitar Competition, that happens every year in my native city of Oulu, Finland. Mom and Dad had helped out at the very first contest back in 1996 – my mother distributed flyers, my father organized the music. From that point, domestic competitions have been organized all across the world, with the champions converging in Oulu each August.
Back then, I asked my parents if I could compete. At first they were hesitant; 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 set on it.
As a kid, I was always performing air guitar, pretending to play to the most popular rock tunes with my make-believe instrument. Mom and Dad were enthusiasts – my dad loved Springsteen and U2. the band AC/DC was the first band I found independently. Angus Young, the guitar hero, was my hero.
When I stepped on stage, I played my set to the band's Whole Lotta Rosie. The crowd started chanting “Angus”, similar to the live recording, and it struck me: so this is to be a rock star. I made it to the finals, competing to crowds in Oulu’s market square, and I was hooked. I was dubbed “Little Angus” that day.
Later I paused. I was a adjudicator 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 people kept calling me “Little Angus” so I accepted it fully and adopt “The Angus” as my artist name. I’ve made it to the final annually from 2022 onward, and in 2023 I came second, so I was set to take the title this year.
The air guitar community is like a family. The saying we live by is ‘Make air, not war’. It sounds silly, but it’s a real philosophy.
The contest is high-energy yet fun. Contestants have a short window to put their all – explosive energy, flawless imitation, performance charm – on an nonexistent axe. The panel evaluate you on a scale from a specific numeric range. If scores are equal, there’s an “tiebreaker” between the last two competitors: a tune begins and you create on the spot.
Training is crucial. I selected an Avenged Sevenfold song for my performance. I had it on repeat for a long time. I practiced flexibility, trying to get my legs loose enough to jump, my fingers nimble enough to copy riffs and my back prepared for those moves and leaps. Once competition day dawned, I could sense the music in my being.
After everyone had performed, the scores came in, and I had tied with the winner from Japan, Yuta “Sudo-chan” Sudo – it was occasion for an final showdown. We competed directly to Sweet Child o’ Mine by Guns N’ Roses. When I heard the song, I felt relieved because it was familiar to me, and primarily I was so thrilled to have another go. Once the results were read I’d emerged victorious, the area went wild.
It's all a bit fuzzy. I think I zoned out from shock. Then all present started singing Neil Young’s that well-known track and hoisted me on to their arms. One of the greats – AKA his performer title – a former champion and one of my best pals, was hugging me. I wept. I was Finland’s first air guitar global winner in two and a half decades. The earlier winner from Finland, Markus “Black Raven” Vainionpää, was there, too. He gave me the warmest embrace and said it was “finally happening”.
The air guitar community is like a support system. The phrase we live by is “Focus on fun, not fighting”. It may seem humorous, but it’s a real philosophy. Participants come from globally, and all involved is positive and uplifting. Before you go on stage, each contestant comes and hugs you. Then for one minute you’re able to be uninhibited, playful, the top performer in the world.
I’m also a beat keeper and string player in a musical act with my brother called the group title, referencing Gareth Southgate, as we’re influenced by UK rock and post-punk. I’ve been working in bars for a short time, and I create independent videos and song visuals. Winning hasn’t changed my day-to-day life drastically but I’ve been doing a many interviews, and I hope it brings more innovative opportunities. Oulu will be a cultural hub next year, so there are promising opportunities.
At present, I’m just grateful: for the group, for the ability to compete, and for that budding enthusiast who picked up a newspaper and thought, “I'd love to try that.”
