I Became the Imaginary Guitar Global Winner
When I was just 10, I read about a article in my hometown newspaper about the Global Air Guitar Contest, which take place every year in my birthplace of Oulu, Finland. My parents had volunteered at the pioneering contest since 1996 – my mum handed out flyers, dad managed the music. From that point, country-level contests have been held globally, with the titleholders gathering in Oulu annually.
At the time, I asked my parents if I could compete. They weren't sure at first; the show was in a bar, and there would be an older crowd. They felt it might be an intimidating atmosphere, but I was resolved.
As a kid, I was always “playing” air guitar, miming along to the biggest rock tunes with my make-believe instrument. My parents were enthusiasts – dad loved Springsteen and the Irish rock band. AC/DC was the first band I found independently. the guitarist, the lead guitarist, was my idol.
As I took the stage, I performed my act to AC/DC’s Whole Lotta Rosie. The crowd started shouting “Angus”, reminiscent of the concert version, and it dawned on me: this is what it feels like to be a music icon. I advanced to the last round, competing to hundreds of people in the town square, and I was addicted. I was dubbed “Little Angus” that day.
Then I took a break. I was a adjudicator one year, and opened for the show once more, but I didn't participate. I came back at 18, experimented with various stage names, but everyone still referred to me as “Little Angus” so I decided to own it and make “The Angus” as my performance alias. I’ve reached the finals each competition since then, and in 2023 I was the runner-up, so I was set to take the title this year.
The air guitar community is like a family. The saying we live by is ‘Play air guitar, avoid battles’. It sounds silly, but it’s a real philosophy.
The competition itself is high-energy yet fun. Contestants have 60 seconds to deliver maximum effort – dynamic presence, flawless imitation, rock star charisma – on an imaginary instrument. Adjudicators rate you on a scale from four to six. In the case of a tie, there’s an “air-off” between the final two contestants: a track is selected and you improvise.
Getting ready is key. I picked an Avenged Sevenfold song for my routine. I had it on repeat for weeks. I stretched constantly, trying to get my limbs loose enough to leap, my hands nimble enough to imitate guitar parts and my back set for those moves and leaps. Once the event dawned, I could sense the music in my soul.
When the show concluded, the results were tallied, and I had drawn with the winner from Japan, Yuta “Sudo-chan” Sudo – it was occasion for an tiebreaker. We faced off to Sweet Child o’ Mine by the iconic band. When I heard the song, I felt relieved because it was a tune I recognized, and primarily I was so thrilled to play again. As they declared I’d triumphed, the venue went wild.
My memory is blurry. I think I lost consciousness from shock. Then everyone started singing the song Rockin’ in the Free World and raised me up on to their shoulders. One of the greats – AKA his stage name – a past winner and one of my best pals, was holding me. I cried. I was the inaugural from Finland air guitar international titleholder in two and a half decades. The earlier winner from Finland, the earlier victor, was there, too. He bestowed upon me the biggest hug and said it was “about damn time”.
Our global network is like a family. Our motto is “Focus on fun, not fighting”. It may seem humorous, but it’s a genuine belief. Competitors come from globally, and each person is supportive and encouraging. Before you go on stage, each contestant offers an embrace. Then for one minute you’re allowed to be uninhibited, silly, the biggest rock star in the world.
Besides that, I'm a beat keeper and musician in a musical act with my family member called the group title, named after the football manager, as we’re influenced by Britpop and new wave. I’ve been bartending for a short time, and I create mini movies and music videos. The title hasn’t affected my daily activities significantly but I’ve been doing a lot of press, and I hope it leads to more artistic projects. The city will be a designated cultural center the coming year, so there are exciting things ahead.
Currently, I’m just thankful: for the community, for the chance to perform, and for that little kid who found a story and thought, “I want to do that.”
