I Became the Imaginary Guitar World Champion

Back when I was 10, I read about a feature in my community gazette about the Global Air Guitar Contest, held annually every year in my native city of Oulu, Finland. My parents had helped out at the inaugural contest back in 1996 – my mother gave out flyers, my father organized the music. Ever since, domestic competitions have been held all across the world, with the titleholders gathering in Oulu annually.

At the time, I asked my parents if I could enter. At first they were hesitant; the event was in a bar, and there would be a lot of adults. They believed it might be an daunting atmosphere, but I was set on it.

During childhood, I was always miming air guitar, miming along to the biggest rock tunes with my invisible instrument. My family were enthusiasts – my dad loved Bruce Springsteen and U2. the Australian rockers was the initial group I stumbled upon myself. the guitarist, the frontman guitarist, was my inspiration.

As I took the stage, I performed my act to AC/DC’s Whole Lotta Rosie. The crowd started chanting “Angus”, just like the concert version, and it struck me: so this is to be a rock star. I advanced to the last round, performing to crowds in Oulu’s market square, and I was captivated. I earned the moniker “Little Angus” that day.

Then I took a break. I was a referee one year, and started the show once more, but I didn't participate. I came back at 18, experimented with various stage names, but fans continued using “Little Angus” so I embraced it and adopt “The Angus” as my artist name. I’ve reached the finals each competition since then, and in 2023 I was the runner-up, so I was determined to win this year.

The worldwide group is like a support system. The saying we live by is ‘Play air guitar, avoid battles’. It sounds silly, but it’s a real philosophy.

The event is competitive but uplifting. Contestants have a short window to put their all – high-powered performance, precise mimicry, stage magnetism – on an imaginary instrument. Adjudicators rate you on a point range from 4.0 to 6.0. When it's a draw, there’s an “air-off” between the final two contestants: a track is selected and you create on the spot.

Getting ready is key. I picked an Avenged Sevenfold song for my act. I played it repeatedly for weeks. I stretched constantly, trying to get my legs prepared enough to jump, my digits fast enough to imitate guitar parts and my back set for those bends and jumps. Once the event dawned, I could internalize the track in my bones.

Once all acts were done, the points were announced, and I had drawn with the Japanese champion, a competitor known as Sudo-chan – it was moment for an final showdown. We went head-to-head to the Guns N’ Roses hit by Guns N’ Roses. As the music started, I felt relieved because it was familiar to me, and more than anything I was so excited to play again. When they announced I’d emerged victorious, the square exploded.

The moment is hazy. I think I lost consciousness from surprise. Then everyone started performing the song Rockin’ in the Free World and lifted me on to their shoulders. A former champion – also known as Nordic Thunder – a past winner and one of my dear companions, was hugging me. I wept. I was the inaugural from Finland air guitar global winner in two and a half decades. The prior titleholder, the earlier victor, was there, too. He gave me the most heartfelt squeeze and said it was “finally happening”.

Our global network is like a support system. Our motto is “Create music, not conflict”. Though it appears comical, but it’s a real philosophy. People come from many countries, and all involved is positive and uplifting. Prior to performing, each contestant shows support. Then for a brief period you’re allowed to be yourself, playful, the biggest rock star in the world.

Additionally, I am a beat keeper and musician in a group with my sibling called the group title, inspired by the football manager, as we’re inspired by British music genres. I’ve been serving drinks for a short time, and I produce independent videos and performance clips. Winning hasn’t altered my routine drastically but I’ve been doing a extensive media, and I hope it brings more artistic projects. Oulu will be a cultural hub the coming year, so there are great prospects.

For now, I’m just grateful: for the group, for the opportunity to play, and for that budding enthusiast who picked up a newspaper and thought, “I want to do that.”