I Am the Air Guitar World Champion
At the age of 10, I discovered a feature in my local paper about the Air Guitar World Championships, held annually every year in my hometown of Oulu, Finland. Mom and Dad had participated at the pioneering contest back in 1996 – mom gave out flyers, dad organized the music. From that point, domestic competitions have been organized in many nations, with the titleholders converging in Oulu each August.
Back then, I asked my parents if I could compete. At first they were hesitant; the event was in a bar, and there would be many grown-ups. They believed it might be an intimidating atmosphere, but I was determined.
As a kid, I was always miming air guitar, acting out to the biggest rock tunes with my make-believe instrument. My parents were music fans – my father loved Bruce Springsteen and U2. AC/DC was the initial group I found independently. Angus Young, the guitar hero, was my inspiration.
As I took the stage, I performed my act to AC/DC’s Whole Lotta Rosie. The audience started yelling “Angus”, just like the concert version, and it hit me: this must be to be a guitar hero. I made it to the finals, performing to crowds in Oulu’s market square, and I was addicted. I got the nickname “Little Angus” that day.
After that I stopped. I was a adjudicator one year, and started the show on another occasion, but I stayed out of the contest. I came back at 18, tried a few different 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 reached the finals annually from 2022 onward, and in 2023 I was the runner-up, so I was set to claim victory this year.
Our global network is like a close-knit group. The saying we live by is ‘Make air, not war’. It sounds silly, but it’s a real philosophy.
The contest is competitive but uplifting. Competitors have a short window to deliver maximum effort – high-powered performance, perfect mime, performance charm – on an nonexistent axe. Adjudicators evaluate you on a point range from four to six. When it's a draw, there’s an “showdown” between the last two competitors: a tune begins and you freestyle.
Training is crucial. I chose an Avenged Sevenfold song for my act. I listened to it on a loop for a long time. I stretched constantly, trying to get my lower body loose enough to jump, my fingers nimble enough to imitate guitar parts and my spine prepared for those gestures and hops. Once competition day arrived, I could sense the music in my soul.
After everyone had performed, the results were tallied, and I had drawn with the winner from Japan, the Japanese titleholder – it was occasion for an air-off. We went head-to-head to Sweet Child o’ Mine by the rock group. As the music started, I felt comforted because it was one that I knew, and primarily I was so thrilled to have another go. When they announced I’d triumphed, the area erupted.
The moment is hazy. I think I lost consciousness from shock. Then the crowd started singing Neil Young’s Rockin’ in the Free World and lifted me on to their shoulders. One of the greats – also known as his performer title – a past winner and one of my closest friends, was holding me. I cried. I was Finland’s first air guitar international titleholder in two and a half decades. The earlier winner from Finland, Markus “Black Raven” Vainionpää, was in attendance as well. He bestowed upon me the warmest embrace and said it was “long overdue”.
This worldwide group is like a family. The phrase we live by is “Create music, not conflict”. It sounds silly, but it’s a genuine belief. Competitors come from all over the world, and everyone is positive and uplifting. As you prepare to compete, each contestant shows support. Then for 60 seconds you’re free to be free, silly, the ultimate music icon in the world.
Additionally, I am a beat keeper and guitarist in a group with my brother called the group title, referencing the football manager, as we’re fans of UK rock and post-punk. I’ve been working in bars for a couple of years, and I direct independent videos and performance clips. The victory hasn’t altered my routine drastically but I’ve been doing a lot of press, and I hope it results in more artistic projects. Oulu will be a cultural hub soon, so there are promising opportunities.
At present, I’m just grateful: for the network, for the ability to compete, and for that young child who found a story and thought, “That's for me.”