I Became the Imaginary Guitar World Champion
Back when I was 10, I read about a article in my hometown newspaper about the Global Air Guitar Contest, that happens every year in my birthplace of Oulu, Finland. My parents had participated at the pioneering contest starting from 1996 – my mum gave out flyers, dad sorted the music. Ever since, country-level contests have been organized all across the world, with the titleholders assembling in Oulu every summer.
Initially, I inquired with my family if I could compete. Initially they had doubts; the event was in a bar, and there would be many grown-ups. They thought it might be an intimidating atmosphere, but I was resolved.
As a kid, I was always miming air guitar, miming along to the biggest rock tunes with my invisible instrument. My family were enthusiasts – my dad loved The Boss and the Irish rock band. AC/DC was the first band I discovered on my own. the guitarist, the frontman guitarist, was my inspiration.
Upon entering the spotlight, I did my routine to AC/DC’s the song Whole Lotta Rosie. The spectators started chanting “Angus”, similar to the concert version, and it struck me: so this is to be a guitar hero. I reached the championship, playing to crowds in the public plaza, and I was captivated. I got the nickname “Little Angus” that day.
Then I took a break. I was a judge one year, and kicked off the show another time, but I stayed out of the contest. I came back at 18, tried a few different stage names, but people kept calling me “Little Angus” so I accepted it fully and make “The Angus” as my performance alias. I’ve reached the finals every year since 2022, and in 2023 I placed second, so I was set to take the title this year.
The air guitar community is like a support system. Our guiding principle is ‘Play air guitar, avoid battles’. Though it appears humorous, but it’s a true ethos.
The event is competitive but uplifting. Participants have one minute to give everything – high-powered performance, perfect mime, stage magnetism – on an invisible guitar. Adjudicators score you on a point range from a specific numeric range. If scores are equal, there’s an “showdown” between the final two contestants: a track is selected and you create on the spot.
Preparation is everything. I chose an the band Avenged Sevenfold song for my routine. I played it repeatedly for weeks. I did regular stretches, trying to get my limbs flexible enough to leap, my hands nimble enough to mimic solos and my spine prepared for those gestures and hops. When competition day came, I could sense the music in my soul.
Once all acts were done, the scores came in, and I had tied with the titleholder from Japan, the Japanese titleholder – it was time for an tiebreaker. We went head-to-head to Sweet Child o’ Mine by the iconic band. When I heard the song, I felt relieved because it was one that I knew, and more than anything I was so eager to play again. Once the results were read I’d triumphed, the venue erupted.
The moment is hazy. I think I blacked out from the excitement. Then everyone started singing Neil Young’s the anthem Rockin' in the Free World and lifted me on to their backs. Justin Howard – AKA his performer title – a previous titleholder and one of my closest friends, was embracing me. I wept. I was Finland’s first air guitar global winner in a quarter-century. The earlier winner from Finland, Markus “Black Raven” Vainionpää, was there, too. He bestowed upon me the biggest hug and said it was “long overdue”.
Our global network is like a family. Our motto is “Focus on fun, not fighting”. It sounds silly, but it’s a genuine belief. Competitors come from all over the world, and everyone is positive and uplifting. Prior to performing, all participants comes and hugs you. Then for a brief period you’re able to be yourself, humorous, the top performer in the world.
I’m also a drummer and guitarist in a musical act with my family member called the band name, inspired by Gareth Southgate, as we’re fans of Britpop and new wave. I’ve been working in bars for a short time, and I produce short films and song visuals. Winning hasn’t affected my daily activities drastically but I’ve been doing a extensive media, and I hope it brings more artistic projects. Oulu will be a designated cultural center next year, so there are great prospects.
For now, I’m just thankful: for the group, for the chance to perform, and for that young child who read an article and thought, “I'd love to try that.”
