I Became the Imaginary Guitar Global Winner
When I was just 10, I came across a article in my local paper about the World Air Guitar Competition, held annually every year in my birthplace of Oulu, Finland. Mom and Dad had participated at the very first contest since 1996 – my mum gave out flyers, dad organized the music. From that point, country-level contests have been organized all across the world, with the titleholders converging in Oulu each August.
Back then, I inquired with my family if I could enter. Initially they had doubts; the competition was in a bar, and there would be an older crowd. They felt it might be an daunting atmosphere, but I was set on it.
As a kid, I was always performing air guitar, miming along to the biggest rock tunes with my imaginary instrument. Mom and Dad were music fans – dad loved Bruce Springsteen and the Irish rock band. AC/DC was the original act 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”, similar to the concert version, and it dawned on me: this is what it feels like to be a rock star. I advanced to the last round, performing to hundreds of people in Oulu’s market square, and I was hooked. I got the nickname “Little Angus” that day.
After that I stopped. I was a referee one year, and opened for the show another time, but I didn't participate. I came back at 18, tried a few different stage names, but everyone still referred to me as “Little Angus” so I decided to own it and choose “The Angus” as my performance alias. I’ve qualified for the last round annually from 2022 onward, and in 2023 I was the runner-up, so I was set to claim victory this year.
Our global network is like a family. Our guiding principle is ‘Play air guitar, avoid battles’. It sounds silly, but it’s a true ethos.
The event is competitive but uplifting. Contestants have 60 seconds to give everything – dynamic presence, perfect mime, stage magnetism – on an invisible guitar. Judges score you on a point range from four to six. In the case of a tie, there’s an “air-off” between the remaining participants: a tune begins and you improvise.
Preparation is everything. I selected an a metal group song for my act. I played it repeatedly for multiple weeks. I stretched constantly, trying to get my lower body flexible enough to leap, my digits quick enough to imitate guitar parts and my back ready for those gestures and hops. When the event arrived, I could sense the music in my being.
When the show concluded, the results were tallied, and I had matched with the titleholder from Japan, a competitor known as Sudo-chan – it was time for an air-off. We went head-to-head to the Guns N’ Roses hit by the iconic band. When I heard the song, I felt at ease because it was familiar to me, and primarily I was so excited to have another go. Once the results were read I’d won, the square went wild.
The moment is hazy. I think I lost consciousness from surprise. Then all present started performing the classic tune the anthem Rockin' in the Free World and lifted me on to their arms. Justin Howard – AKA his stage name – a previous titleholder and one of my best pals, was embracing me. I cried. I was the inaugural from Finland air guitar world champion in a quarter-century. The previous Finnish champion, Markus “Black Raven” Vainionpää, was there, too. He gave me the most heartfelt squeeze and said it was “finally happening”.
Our global network is like a support system. Our guiding saying is “Create music, not conflict”. It sounds silly, but it’s a real philosophy. People come from globally, and everyone is positive and uplifting. As you prepare to compete, every competitor comes and hugs you. Then for one minute you’re able to be free, silly, the biggest rock star in the world.
Additionally, I am a percussionist and string player in a group with my brother called the Southgates, referencing Gareth Southgate, as we’re influenced by British music genres. I’ve been serving drinks for a few years now, and I create mini movies and performance clips. Winning hasn’t altered my routine drastically but I’ve been doing a lot of press, and I wish it results in more artistic projects. Oulu will be a cultural hub soon, so there are promising opportunities.
At present, I’m just appreciative: for the community, for the opportunity to play, and for that little kid who read an article and thought, “I'd love to try that.”