I Am the Imaginary Guitar World Champion
When I was just 10, I came across a story in my local paper about the World Air Guitar Competition, that happens every year in my native city of Oulu, Finland. My family had volunteered at the very first contest starting from 1996 – my mum distributed flyers, my father managed the music. From that point, country-level contests have been held all across the world, with the titleholders gathering in Oulu every summer.
Initially, I asked my parents if I could compete. They weren't sure at first; the show was in a bar, and there would be a lot of adults. They felt it might be an daunting atmosphere, but I was set on it.
In my youth, I was always performing air guitar, acting out to the iconic rock tunes with my imaginary instrument. Mom and Dad were music fans – dad loved The Boss and U2. AC/DC was the original act I found independently. Angus Young, the frontman guitarist, was my inspiration.
Upon entering the spotlight, I performed my act to the band's the song Whole Lotta Rosie. The crowd started yelling “Angus”, reminiscent of the concert version, and it dawned on me: so this is to be a music icon. I made it to the finals, competing to crowds in Oulu’s market square, and I was captivated. I was dubbed “Little Angus” that day.
After that I stopped. I was a judge one year, and started the show on another occasion, but I didn’t compete. I came back at 18, tested out several stage names, but everyone still referred to me as “Little Angus” so I accepted it fully and make “The Angus” as my stage name. I’ve reached the finals annually from 2022 onward, and in 2023 I placed second, so I was set to win this year.
The worldwide group is like a family. Our motto is ‘Play air guitar, avoid battles’. It sounds silly, but it’s a real philosophy.
The contest is intense but joyful. Competitors have a short window to deliver maximum effort – dynamic presence, perfect mime, rock star charisma – on an imaginary instrument. The panel score you on a grading system from 4.0 to 6.0. When it's a draw, there’s an “tiebreaker” between the last two competitors: a song plays and you freestyle.
Preparation is everything. I picked an the band Avenged Sevenfold song for my performance. I had it on repeat for multiple weeks. I did regular stretches, trying to get my limbs loose enough to leap, my hands fast enough to copy riffs and my back prepared for those gestures and hops. When the event dawned, I could sense the music in my being.
When the show concluded, the points were announced, and I had drawn with the Japanese champion, a competitor known as Sudo-chan – it was occasion for an final showdown. We went head-to-head to the Guns N’ Roses hit by the iconic band. As the music started, I felt comforted because it was familiar to me, and above all I was so thrilled to perform one more time. As they declared I’d won, the area exploded.
It's all a bit fuzzy. I think I lost consciousness from surprise. Then all present started chanting Neil Young’s that well-known track and raised me up on to their backs. Justin Howard – alias Nordic Thunder – a previous titleholder and one of my dear companions, was holding me. I shed tears. I was the first Finnish air guitar world champion in a quarter-century. The earlier winner from Finland, the former champion, was there, too. He gave me the most heartfelt squeeze and said it was “about damn time”.
The air guitar community is like a close-knit group. The phrase we live by is “Create music, not conflict”. It may seem humorous, but it’s a genuine belief. Participants come from all over the world, and each person is helpful and motivating. Prior to performing, every competitor shows support. Then for one minute you’re able to be uninhibited, playful, the top performer in the world.
Besides that, I'm a drummer and string player in a group with my family member called the Southgates, inspired by Gareth Southgate, as we’re inspired by British music genres. I’ve been bartending for a couple of years, and I produce short films and music videos. The victory hasn’t altered my routine significantly but I’ve been doing a lot of press, and I hope it brings more creative work. Oulu will be a cultural hub soon, so there are exciting things ahead.
Currently, I’m just grateful: for the network, for the ability to compete, and for that little kid who found a story and thought, “That's for me.”