I Became the Imaginary Guitar Global Winner

At the age of 10, I read about a feature in my local paper about the Air Guitar World Championships, that happens every year in my birthplace of Oulu, Finland. My family had volunteered at the pioneering contest starting from 1996 – my mother handed out flyers, my dad managed the music. Since then, country-level contests have been organized in many nations, with the winners gathering in Oulu annually.

At the time, I asked my parents if I could participate. Initially they had doubts; the event was in a bar, and there would be many grown-ups. They thought it might be an daunting atmosphere, but I was resolved.

As a kid, I was always performing air guitar, acting out to the biggest rock tunes with my invisible instrument. My family were enthusiasts – my dad loved Bruce Springsteen and U2. AC/DC was the first band I stumbled upon myself. Angus Young, the lead guitarist, was my inspiration.

When I stepped on stage, I played my set to AC/DC’s Whole Lotta Rosie. The crowd started chanting “Angus”, reminiscent of the live recording, and it hit me: this must be to be a rock star. I advanced to the last round, performing to hundreds of people in Oulu’s market square, and I was hooked. I got the nickname “Little Angus” that day.

Later I paused. I was a adjudicator one year, and started the show another time, but I stayed out of the contest. I went back at 18, experimented with various stage names, but people kept calling me “Little Angus” so I decided to own it and choose “The Angus” as my performance alias. I’ve made it to the final every year since 2022, 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 ‘Play air guitar, avoid battles’. It may seem funny, but it’s a true ethos.

The contest is intense but joyful. Competitors have one minute to give everything – explosive energy, precise mimicry, rock star charisma – on an nonexistent axe. Adjudicators evaluate you on a point range from 4.0 to 6.0. When it's a draw, there’s an “tiebreaker” between the final two contestants: a song plays and you create on the spot.

Preparation is everything. I chose an Avenged Sevenfold song for my routine. I played it repeatedly for multiple weeks. I stretched constantly, trying to get my legs prepared enough to bound, my fingers quick enough to mimic solos and my spine set for those bends and jumps. Once the big day arrived, I could internalize the track in my soul.

Once all acts were done, the scores came in, and I had drawn with the winner from Japan, Yuta “Sudo-chan” Sudo – it was occasion for an air-off. We went head-to-head to that classic rock anthem by the iconic band. As the music started, I felt comforted because it was familiar to me, and primarily I was so excited to play again. Once the results were read I’d triumphed, the venue exploded.

It's all a bit fuzzy. I think I blacked out from shock. Then all present started singing the classic tune Rockin’ in the Free World and hoisted me on to their shoulders. One of the greats – alias his stage name – a former champion and one of my closest friends, was embracing me. I cried. I was the inaugural from Finland air guitar world champion in 25 years. The previous Finnish champion, the earlier victor, was there, too. He offered me the warmest embrace and said it was “about damn time”.

This worldwide group is like a support system. Our motto is “Focus on fun, not fighting”. It may seem humorous, but it’s a true way of life. Participants come from globally, and everyone is positive and uplifting. Prior to performing, all participants offers an embrace. Then for one minute you’re free to be uninhibited, silly, the biggest rock star in the world.

Besides that, I'm a beat keeper and string player in a group with my family member called the group title, inspired by the football manager, as we’re fans of Britpop and new wave. I’ve been working in bars for a couple of years, and I direct mini movies and music videos. The victory hasn’t changed my day-to-day life significantly but I’ve been doing a extensive media, and I aspire it leads to more creative work. The city will be a cultural hub soon, so there are great prospects.

At present, I’m just grateful: for the network, for the ability to compete, and for that budding enthusiast who read an article and thought, “That's for me.”