I Am the Imaginary Guitar World Champion

Back when I was 10, I came across a story in my community gazette about the World Air Guitar Competition, which take place every year in my birthplace of Oulu, Finland. Mom and Dad had participated at the inaugural contest since 1996 – my mum handed out flyers, my father managed the music. Ever since, domestic competitions have been organized globally, with the winners gathering in Oulu annually.

At the time, I inquired with my family if I could compete. At first they were hesitant; the event was in a bar, and there would be a lot of adults. They felt it might be an overwhelming atmosphere, but I was determined.

In my youth, I was always performing air guitar, acting out to the most popular rock tunes with my make-believe instrument. My family were lovers of music – my father loved Bruce Springsteen and the Irish rock band. AC/DC was the initial group I found independently. Angus Young, the guitar hero, was my idol.

When I stepped on stage, I performed my act to the band's Whole Lotta Rosie. The audience started shouting “Angus”, just like the concert version, and it hit me: this must be to be a music icon. I made it to the finals, performing to a large audience in the public plaza, and I was captivated. I got the nickname “Little Angus” that day.

Then I took a break. I was a adjudicator one year, and opened for the show another time, but I didn’t compete. I went back at 18, tested out several stage names, but people kept calling me “Little Angus” so I embraced it and adopt “The Angus” as my stage name. I’ve qualified for the last round each competition since then, and in 2023 I placed second, so I was resolved to claim victory this year.

The worldwide group is like a close-knit group. Our motto is ‘Play air guitar, avoid battles’. It sounds silly, but it’s a true ethos.

The competition itself is intense but joyful. Participants have 60 seconds to deliver maximum effort – high-powered performance, precise mimicry, stage magnetism – on an nonexistent axe. Adjudicators evaluate you on a grading system from 4.0 to 6.0. In the case of a tie, there’s an “showdown” between the last two competitors: a song plays and you improvise.

Preparation is everything. I picked an Avenged Sevenfold song for my routine. I played it repeatedly for a long time. I did regular stretches, trying to get my lower body flexible enough to leap, my hands nimble enough to imitate guitar parts and my back prepared for those gestures and hops. By the time the event dawned, I could sense the music in my bones.

After everyone had performed, the results were tallied, and I had tied with the Japanese champion, the Japanese titleholder – it was occasion for an tiebreaker. We went head-to-head to Sweet Child o’ Mine by the iconic band. When I heard the song, I felt at ease because it was familiar to me, and primarily I was so thrilled to perform one more time. Once the results were read I’d emerged victorious, the venue exploded.

It's all a bit fuzzy. I think I lost consciousness from surprise. Then the crowd started chanting the classic tune the anthem Rockin' in the Free World and raised me up on to their arms. A former champion – also known as his stage name – a previous titleholder and one of my closest friends, was holding me. I cried. I was Finland’s first air guitar global winner in a quarter-century. The previous Finnish champion, Markus “Black Raven” Vainionpää, was in attendance as well. He offered me the warmest embrace and said it was “about damn time”.

The air guitar community is like a family. Our motto is “Focus on fun, not fighting”. It may seem humorous, but it’s a true way of life. People come from globally, and all involved is positive and uplifting. Prior to performing, all participants shows support. Then for 60 seconds you’re able to be yourself, silly, the biggest rock star in the world.

I’m also a beat keeper and string player in a musical act with my family member called the band name, named after Gareth Southgate, as we’re inspired by UK rock and post-punk. I’ve been serving drinks for a few years now, and I produce short films and music videos. The title hasn’t affected my daily activities significantly but I’ve been doing a extensive media, and I aspire it brings more creative work. The city will be a designated cultural center the coming year, so there are great prospects.

For now, I’m just grateful: for the community, for the ability to compete, and for that young child who picked up a newspaper and thought, “I'd love to try that.”