I Became the Imaginary Guitar Global Winner

Back when I was 10, I came across a article in my local paper about the Global Air Guitar Contest, held annually every year in my native city of Oulu, Finland. Mom and Dad had volunteered at the very first contest since 1996 – my mother handed out flyers, my father managed the music. Since then, country-level contests have been organized in many nations, with the titleholders assembling in Oulu annually.

At the time, I inquired with my family if I could compete. At first they were hesitant; the competition was in a bar, and there would be an older crowd. They believed it might be an daunting atmosphere, but I was determined.

In my youth, I was always performing air guitar, miming along to the most popular rock tunes with my invisible instrument. My family were music fans – dad loved The Boss and the Irish rock band. the band AC/DC was the initial group I discovered on my own. the lead guitarist, the guitar hero, was my inspiration.

When I stepped on stage, I did my routine to the band's Whole Lotta Rosie. The audience started shouting “Angus”, just like the live recording, and it hit me: this must be to be a rock star. I reached the championship, competing to hundreds of people in Oulu’s market square, and I was hooked. I earned the moniker “Little Angus” that day.

After that I stopped. I was a referee one year, and kicked off the show once more, but I didn't participate. I went back at 18, experimented with various stage names, but everyone still referred to me as “Little Angus” so I decided to own it and choose “The Angus” as my performance alias. I’ve qualified for the last round each competition since then, and in 2023 I placed second, so I was determined to take the title this year.

Our global network is like a close-knit group. Our motto is ‘Play air guitar, avoid battles’. It may seem funny, but it’s a true ethos.

The contest is competitive but uplifting. Participants have a short window to give everything – high-powered performance, flawless imitation, rock star charisma – on an invisible guitar. Adjudicators rate you on a scale from four to six. When it's a draw, there’s an “showdown” between the final two contestants: a song plays and you create on the spot.

Training is crucial. I picked an the band Avenged Sevenfold song for my act. I played it repeatedly for multiple weeks. I stretched constantly, trying to get my lower body loose enough to leap, my digits fast enough to copy riffs and my upper body set for those moves and leaps. Once the big day came, I could feel the song in my bones.

When the show concluded, the points were announced, and I had tied with the titleholder from Japan, a competitor known as Sudo-chan – it was occasion for an air-off. We competed directly to that classic rock anthem by the rock group. Once the track began, I felt at ease because it was one that I knew, and primarily I was so eager to play again. As they declared I’d won, the venue went wild.

The moment is hazy. I think I blacked out from shock. Then the crowd started performing the song Rockin’ in the Free World and hoisted me on to their arms. A former champion – also known as his stage name – a previous titleholder and one of my closest friends, was embracing me. I wept. I was the first Finnish air guitar global winner in a quarter-century. The prior titleholder, the former champion, was in attendance as well. He gave me the most heartfelt squeeze and said it was “about damn time”.

Our global network is like a close-knit group. The phrase we live by is “Focus on fun, not fighting”. It sounds silly, but it’s a true way of life. Competitors come from globally, and everyone is supportive and encouraging. As you prepare to compete, every competitor comes and hugs you. Then for a brief period you’re able to be uninhibited, playful, the biggest rock star in the world.

Besides that, I'm a percussionist and musician in a group with my brother called the group title, referencing Gareth Southgate, as we’re inspired by Britpop and new wave. I’ve been working in bars for a few years now, and I produce mini movies and performance clips. The victory hasn’t changed my day-to-day life drastically but I’ve been doing a extensive media, and I hope it results in more creative work. The city will be a cultural hub soon, so there are great prospects.

For now, I’m just grateful: for the community, for the opportunity to play, and for that young child who read an article and thought, “I want to do that.”