I Became the Imaginary Guitar International Titleholder

When I was just 10, I read about a story in my hometown newspaper about the Air Guitar World Championships, which take place every year in my birthplace of Oulu, Finland. My parents had helped out at the inaugural contest starting from 1996 – my mum handed out flyers, my dad managed the music. Ever since, country-level contests have been staged all across the world, with the winners gathering in Oulu annually.

At the time, I asked my parents if I could enter. At first they were hesitant; the event was in a bar, and there would be many grown-ups. They felt it might be an intimidating atmosphere, but I was determined.

In my youth, I was always miming air guitar, pretending to play to the most popular rock tunes with my imaginary instrument. Mom and Dad were lovers of music – dad loved Springsteen and U2. AC/DC was the original act I discovered on my own. the guitarist, the lead guitarist, was my idol.

Upon entering the spotlight, I did my routine to AC/DC’s that classic track. The spectators started shouting “Angus”, similar to the concert version, and it struck me: so this is to be a rock star. I reached the championship, performing to a large audience in the public plaza, and I was addicted. I was dubbed “Little Angus” that day.

Then I took a break. I was a judge one year, and opened for the show another time, but I stayed out of the contest. I came back at 18, experimented with various stage names, but fans continued using “Little Angus” so I accepted it fully and choose “The Angus” as my artist name. I’ve qualified for the last round annually from 2022 onward, and in 2023 I came second, so I was set to take the title this year.

Our global network is like a family. Our guiding principle is ‘Create music, not conflict’. It sounds silly, but it’s a genuine belief.

The contest is competitive but uplifting. Competitors have a short window to put their all – high-powered performance, precise mimicry, rock star charisma – on an imaginary instrument. Judges evaluate you on a grading system from a specific numeric range. In the case of a tie, there’s an “tiebreaker” between the final two contestants: a track is selected and you create on the spot.

Training is crucial. I selected an Avenged Sevenfold song for my act. I had it on repeat for a long time. I stretched constantly, trying to get my legs prepared enough to leap, my fingers nimble enough to mimic solos and my spine ready for those bends and jumps. When competition day dawned, 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, Yuta “Sudo-chan” Sudo – it was occasion for an air-off. We faced off to the Guns N’ Roses hit by the iconic band. When I heard the song, I felt relieved because it was familiar to me, and above all I was so eager to play again. As they declared I’d emerged victorious, the venue went wild.

It's all a bit fuzzy. I think I zoned out from shock. Then the crowd started performing the classic tune that well-known track and lifted me on to their arms. A former champion – AKA his stage name – a past winner and one of my best pals, was hugging me. I shed tears. I was the first Finnish air guitar global winner in a quarter-century. The previous Finnish champion, the earlier victor, was in attendance as well. He offered me the biggest hug and said it was “long overdue”.

Our global network is like a family. Our motto is “Create music, not conflict”. It sounds silly, but it’s a real philosophy. People come from all over the world, and everyone is supportive and encouraging. Prior to performing, all participants shows support. Then for one minute you’re able to be free, silly, the biggest rock star in the world.

Besides that, I'm a beat keeper and musician in a band with my brother called the band name, named after the football manager, as we’re influenced by British music genres. I’ve been bartending for a short time, and I produce short films and song visuals. Winning hasn’t altered my routine significantly but I’ve been doing a lot of press, and I wish it results in more artistic projects. The city will be a designated cultural center the coming year, so there are exciting things ahead.

At present, I’m just appreciative: for the group, for the opportunity to play, and for that little kid who read an article and thought, “I'd love to try that.”