I Became the Air Guitar Global Winner
At the age of 10, I came across a story in my community gazette about the Global Air Guitar Contest, that happens every year in my birthplace of Oulu, Finland. My parents had volunteered at the very first contest since 1996 – my mother distributed flyers, my dad managed the music. Since then, domestic competitions have been held all across the world, with the winners assembling in Oulu annually.
Back then, I asked my parents if I could enter. Initially they had doubts; the competition was in a bar, and there would be a lot of adults. They felt it might be an intimidating atmosphere, but I was determined.
In my youth, I was always “playing” air guitar, acting out to the most popular rock tunes with my make-believe instrument. My parents were music fans – dad loved The Boss and U2. the Australian rockers was the initial group I found independently. the lead guitarist, the lead guitarist, was my hero.
As I took the stage, I performed my act to AC/DC’s Whole Lotta Rosie. The spectators started chanting “Angus”, just like the live recording, and it struck me: this is what it feels like to be a music icon. I advanced to the last round, playing to hundreds of people in the public plaza, and I was hooked. I earned the moniker “Little Angus” that day.
Then I took a break. I was a judge one year, and started the show once more, but I didn’t compete. I came back at 18, tried a few different stage names, but people kept calling me “Little Angus” so I embraced it and make “The Angus” as my artist name. I’ve reached the finals every year since 2022, and in 2023 I placed second, so I was determined to win this year.
Our global network is like a close-knit group. Our guiding principle is ‘Make air, not war’. It sounds silly, but it’s a true ethos.
The contest is competitive but uplifting. Contestants have 60 seconds to put their all – dynamic presence, flawless imitation, performance charm – on an imaginary instrument. The panel score you on a grading system from 4.0 to 6.0. In the case of a tie, there’s an “showdown” between the final two contestants: a song plays and you improvise.
Training is crucial. I selected an Avenged Sevenfold song for my performance. I listened to it on a loop for a long time. I practiced flexibility, trying to get my limbs flexible enough to bound, my hands quick enough to imitate guitar parts and my spine ready for those gestures and hops. Once the event arrived, I could feel the song in my bones.
When the show concluded, the results were tallied, and I had matched with the titleholder from Japan, the Japanese titleholder – it was occasion for an air-off. We competed directly to the Guns N’ Roses hit by the iconic band. As the music started, I felt at ease because it was a tune I recognized, and primarily I was so eager to play again. Once the results were read I’d triumphed, the area went wild.
It's all a bit fuzzy. I think I blacked out from shock. Then the crowd started singing the classic tune the anthem Rockin' in the Free World and hoisted me on to their backs. Justin Howard – alias his stage name – a former champion and one of my closest friends, was hugging me. I shed tears. I was the inaugural from Finland air guitar global winner in two and a half decades. The previous Finnish champion, Markus “Black Raven” Vainionpää, was in attendance as well. He offered me the warmest embrace and said it was “long overdue”.
The air guitar community is like a close-knit group. Our guiding saying is “Focus on fun, not fighting”. Though it appears comical, but it’s a real philosophy. People come from many countries, and everyone is supportive and encouraging. Before you go on stage, every competitor comes and hugs you. Then for one minute you’re allowed to be uninhibited, silly, the biggest rock star in the world.
Additionally, I am a drummer and guitarist in a band with my brother called the Southgates, named after the sports figure, as we’re fans of British music genres. I’ve been working in bars for a short time, and I direct independent videos and music videos. The victory hasn’t changed my day-to-day life significantly but I’ve been doing a lot of press, and I hope it leads to more artistic projects. The city will be a cultural hub the coming year, so there are exciting things ahead.
For now, I’m just appreciative: for the group, for the ability to compete, and for that budding enthusiast who picked up a newspaper and thought, “I want to do that.”
