I Am the Imaginary Guitar Global Winner

At the age of 10, I read about a story in my hometown newspaper about the World Air Guitar Competition, which take place every year in my birthplace of Oulu, Finland. My parents had volunteered at the very first contest since 1996 – my mother handed out flyers, my father managed the music. Ever since, national championships have been held all across the world, with the titleholders converging in Oulu every summer.

At the time, I requested permission if I could enter. Initially they had doubts; the competition was in a bar, and there would be many grown-ups. They thought it might be an intimidating atmosphere, but I was resolved.

In my youth, I was always miming air guitar, acting out to the iconic rock tunes with my make-believe instrument. Mom and Dad were lovers of music – dad loved Bruce Springsteen and the Irish rock band. the Australian rockers was the initial group I stumbled upon myself. the guitarist, the lead guitarist, was my inspiration.

When I stepped on stage, I played my set to the band's Whole Lotta Rosie. The spectators started chanting “Angus”, just like the live recording, and it dawned on me: this must be to be a guitar hero. I advanced to the last round, playing to crowds in the public plaza, and I was addicted. I was dubbed “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 compete. I went back at 18, tried a few different 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 placed second, so I was set to claim victory this year.

The air guitar community is like a close-knit group. The saying we live by is ‘Play air guitar, avoid battles’. Though it appears humorous, but it’s a real philosophy.

The contest is high-energy yet fun. Participants have one minute to give everything – explosive energy, precise mimicry, stage magnetism – on an invisible guitar. The panel score you on a scale from four to six. In the case of a tie, there’s an “tiebreaker” between the last two competitors: a song plays and you freestyle.

Getting ready is key. I picked an a metal group song for my act. I listened to it on a loop for multiple weeks. I stretched constantly, trying to get my legs loose enough to bound, my digits quick enough to copy riffs and my upper body set for those gestures and hops. By the time the big day dawned, I could feel the song in my soul.

Once all acts were done, the results were tallied, and I had drawn with the winner from Japan, Yuta “Sudo-chan” Sudo – it was occasion for an air-off. We faced off to the Guns N’ Roses hit by the iconic band. Once the track began, I felt at ease because it was familiar to me, and more than anything I was so excited to perform one more time. Once the results were read I’d won, the square went wild.

The moment is hazy. I think I zoned out from the excitement. Then the crowd started chanting the classic tune Rockin’ in the Free World and raised me up on to their backs. Justin Howard – AKA his performer title – a past winner and one of my closest friends, was embracing me. I wept. I was the inaugural from Finland air guitar international titleholder in two and a half decades. The prior titleholder, Markus “Black Raven” Vainionpää, was there, too. He offered me the biggest hug and said it was “about damn time”.

This worldwide group is like a family. The phrase we live by is “Create music, not conflict”. It may seem humorous, but it’s a genuine belief. Competitors come from globally, and everyone is positive and uplifting. As you prepare to compete, every competitor shows support. Then for one minute you’re able to be free, silly, the ultimate music icon in the world.

I’m also a beat keeper and musician in a group with my family member called the Southgates, inspired by the football manager, as we’re fans of British music genres. I’ve been working in bars for a couple of years, and I create mini movies and music videos. The victory hasn’t altered my routine significantly but I’ve been doing a lot of press, and I hope it results in more artistic projects. Oulu will be a designated cultural center the coming year, so there are promising opportunities.

At present, I’m just appreciative: for the community, for the chance to perform, and for that budding enthusiast who read an article and thought, “That's for me.”