I Became the Air Guitar International Titleholder
At the age of 10, I read about a feature in my hometown newspaper about the Air Guitar World Championships, that happens every year in my native city of Oulu, Finland. My family had participated at the very first contest since 1996 – my mother handed out flyers, my father sorted the music. Since then, domestic competitions have been staged globally, with the winners assembling in Oulu each August.
At the time, I inquired with my family if I could enter. Initially they had doubts; the show was in a bar, and there would be many grown-ups. They believed it might be an overwhelming atmosphere, but I was set on it.
During childhood, I was always “playing” air guitar, acting out to the biggest rock tunes with my invisible instrument. Mom and Dad were music fans – dad loved Bruce Springsteen and the Irish rock band. the band AC/DC was the initial group I found independently. the guitarist, the frontman guitarist, was my idol.
When I stepped on stage, I did my routine to AC/DC’s the song Whole Lotta Rosie. The crowd started yelling “Angus”, just like the live recording, and it dawned on me: so this is to be a music icon. I reached the championship, performing to crowds in the town square, and I was hooked. I earned the moniker “Little Angus” that day.
After that I stopped. I was a referee one year, and started the show another time, but I didn’t compete. I came back at 18, tried a few different stage names, but everyone still referred to me as “Little Angus” so I embraced it and adopt “The Angus” as my performance alias. I’ve qualified for the last round each competition since then, and in 2023 I was the runner-up, so I was determined to claim victory this year.
The air guitar community is like a family. Our motto is ‘Play air guitar, avoid battles’. It sounds silly, but it’s a real philosophy.
The event is high-energy yet fun. Contestants have a short window to deliver maximum effort – dynamic presence, precise mimicry, performance charm – on an invisible guitar. The panel evaluate you on a grading system from a specific numeric range. In the case of a tie, there’s an “air-off” between the last two competitors: a tune begins and you create on the spot.
Getting ready is key. I chose an the band Avenged Sevenfold song for my act. I played it repeatedly for multiple weeks. I did regular stretches, trying to get my lower body flexible enough to leap, my fingers nimble enough to copy riffs and my spine ready for those gestures and hops. Once the big day came, I could feel the song in my soul.
Once all acts were done, the scores came in, and I had drawn with the titleholder from Japan, the Japanese titleholder – it was moment for an air-off. We went head-to-head to Sweet Child o’ Mine by Guns N’ Roses. Once the track began, I felt comforted because it was one that I knew, and primarily I was so excited to have another go. When they announced I’d emerged victorious, the venue exploded.
It's all a bit fuzzy. I think I zoned out from shock. Then everyone started chanting Neil Young’s Rockin’ in the Free World and lifted me on to their backs. Justin Howard – AKA his performer title – a past winner and one of my dear companions, was hugging me. I cried. I was the inaugural from Finland air guitar international titleholder in a quarter-century. The previous Finnish champion, the former champion, was there, too. He bestowed upon me the warmest embrace and said it was “long overdue”.
Our global network is like a family. The phrase we live by is “Create music, not conflict”. It sounds silly, but it’s a true way of life. Participants come from globally, and all involved is positive and uplifting. Before you go on stage, every competitor shows support. Then for 60 seconds you’re free to be uninhibited, playful, the biggest rock star in the world.
Additionally, I am a percussionist and musician in a musical act with my sibling called the Southgates, referencing the sports figure, as we’re inspired by Britpop and new wave. I’ve been bartending for a few years now, and I direct mini movies and music videos. Winning hasn’t affected my daily activities too much but I’ve been doing a many interviews, and I aspire it brings more creative work. The city will be a European capital of culture next year, so there are exciting things ahead.
For now, I’m just thankful: for the group, for the opportunity to play, and for that young child who found a story and thought, “That's for me.”
