I Became the Imaginary Guitar Global Winner
Back when I was 10, I came across a feature in my local paper about the World Air Guitar Competition, that happens every year in my native city of Oulu, Finland. My family had participated at the pioneering contest starting from 1996 – my mum handed out flyers, my father sorted the music. From that point, country-level contests have been staged in many nations, with the titleholders assembling in Oulu every summer.
Back then, I inquired with my family if I could enter. At first they were hesitant; the competition was in a bar, and there would be a lot of adults. They thought it might be an daunting atmosphere, but I was set on it.
In my youth, I was always miming air guitar, miming along to the biggest rock tunes with my invisible instrument. My family were music fans – my dad loved Springsteen and U2. AC/DC was the initial group I found independently. the lead guitarist, the guitar hero, was my hero.
As I took the stage, I performed my act to AC/DC’s that classic track. The spectators started yelling “Angus”, similar to the concert version, and it dawned on me: this must be to be a music icon. I reached the championship, competing to a large audience in the public plaza, and I was addicted. I was dubbed “Little Angus” that day.
Later I paused. I was a referee one year, and kicked off the show once more, but I didn’t compete. I returned at 18, tried a few different stage names, but everyone still referred to me as “Little Angus” so I decided to own it and adopt “The Angus” as my performance alias. I’ve made it to the final annually from 2022 onward, and in 2023 I came second, so I was set to take the title this year.
The air guitar community is like a close-knit group. Our guiding principle is ‘Create music, not conflict’. It may seem funny, but it’s a true ethos.
The event is high-energy yet fun. Contestants have one minute to deliver maximum effort – explosive energy, precise mimicry, rock star charisma – on an invisible guitar. Judges evaluate you on a point range from a specific numeric range. If scores are equal, there’s an “air-off” between the last two competitors: a song plays and you improvise.
Getting ready is key. I selected an a metal group song for my routine. I listened to it on a loop for multiple weeks. I stretched constantly, trying to get my lower body prepared enough to jump, my digits nimble enough to mimic solos and my back prepared for those bends and jumps. By the time competition day arrived, I could sense the music in my being.
Once all acts were done, the scores came in, and I had matched with the winner from Japan, Yuta “Sudo-chan” Sudo – it was occasion for an tiebreaker. We went head-to-head 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 above all I was so excited to have another go. Once the results were read I’d emerged victorious, the area exploded.
My memory is blurry. I think I lost consciousness from the excitement. Then all present started performing the song the anthem Rockin' in the Free World and hoisted me on to their shoulders. A former champion – also known as his performer title – a former champion and one of my closest friends, was embracing me. I cried. I was Finland’s first air guitar international titleholder in two and a half decades. The prior titleholder, the former champion, was in attendance as well. He gave me the most heartfelt squeeze and said it was “finally happening”.
Our global network is like a close-knit group. The phrase we live by is “Focus on fun, not fighting”. It sounds silly, but it’s a genuine belief. People come from all over the world, and each person is supportive and encouraging. Before you go on stage, every competitor offers an embrace. Then for 60 seconds you’re able to be free, silly, the top performer in the world.
I’m also a drummer and musician in a band with my brother called the band name, named after Gareth Southgate, as we’re fans of Britpop and new wave. I’ve been working in bars for a short time, and I create mini movies and song visuals. Winning hasn’t affected my daily activities drastically but I’ve been doing a lot of press, and I hope it brings more artistic projects. The city will be a cultural hub soon, so there are great prospects.
For now, I’m just appreciative: for the network, for the chance to perform, and for that little kid who picked up a newspaper and thought, “I want to do that.”
