I Am the Imaginary Guitar Global Winner

Back when I was 10, I read about a article in my community gazette about the World Air Guitar Competition, held annually every year in my native city of Oulu, Finland. My parents had volunteered at the inaugural contest since 1996 – my mother handed out flyers, my dad organized the music. From that point, national championships have been staged all across the world, with the champions assembling in Oulu every summer.

Back then, I asked my parents 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, acting out to the biggest rock tunes with my imaginary instrument. My family were lovers of music – my father loved Bruce Springsteen and U2. the Australian rockers was the original act I stumbled upon myself. the lead guitarist, the guitar hero, was my inspiration.

As I took the stage, I performed my act to AC/DC’s Whole Lotta Rosie. The spectators started shouting “Angus”, similar to the album track, and it dawned on me: so this is to be a guitar hero. I advanced to the last round, competing to hundreds of people in the town square, and I was addicted. I earned the moniker “Little Angus” that day.

After that I stopped. I was a judge one year, and opened for the show on another occasion, but I didn’t compete. I went back at 18, tried a few different stage names, but people kept calling me “Little Angus” so I decided to own it and make “The Angus” as my stage name. I’ve made it to the final every year since 2022, and in 2023 I was the runner-up, so I was determined to claim victory this year.

The worldwide group is like a support system. Our motto is ‘Play air guitar, avoid battles’. It may seem funny, but it’s a real philosophy.

The competition itself is intense but joyful. Competitors have a short window to give everything – dynamic presence, perfect mime, stage magnetism – on an invisible guitar. The panel score you on a grading system from a specific numeric range. In the case of a tie, there’s an “air-off” between the remaining participants: a tune begins and you improvise.

Getting ready is key. I chose an the band Avenged Sevenfold song for my routine. I had it on repeat for multiple weeks. I practiced flexibility, trying to get my legs loose enough to jump, my digits fast enough to imitate guitar parts and my upper body prepared for those bends and jumps. When the event arrived, I could sense the music in my bones.

After everyone had performed, the results were tallied, and I had drawn with the winner from Japan, a competitor known as Sudo-chan – it was time for an tiebreaker. We competed directly to Sweet Child o’ Mine by Guns N’ Roses. Once the track began, I felt comforted because it was one that I knew, and above all I was so thrilled to perform one more time. When they announced I’d won, the square erupted.

My memory is blurry. I think I lost consciousness from the excitement. Then everyone started chanting the song Rockin’ in the Free World and raised me up on to their arms. Justin Howard – AKA his stage name – a previous titleholder and one of my best pals, was embracing me. I wept. I was the inaugural from Finland air guitar global winner in a quarter-century. The earlier winner from Finland, Markus “Black Raven” Vainionpää, was there, too. He gave me the biggest hug and said it was “finally happening”.

The air guitar community is like a support system. Our guiding saying is “Focus on fun, not fighting”. It sounds silly, but it’s a real philosophy. People come from globally, and all involved is supportive and encouraging. As you prepare to compete, each contestant comes and hugs you. Then for a brief period you’re allowed to be yourself, silly, the top performer in the world.

Besides that, I'm a drummer and guitarist in a band with my brother called the group title, named after the football manager, as we’re influenced by UK rock and post-punk. I’ve been bartending for a few years now, and I direct mini movies and song visuals. The title hasn’t affected my daily activities significantly but I’ve been doing a extensive media, and I hope it leads to more artistic projects. My hometown will be a cultural hub next year, so there are promising opportunities.

At present, I’m just appreciative: for the community, for the ability to compete, and for that budding enthusiast who picked up a newspaper and thought, “I want to do that.”