I Became the Imaginary Guitar Global Winner
Back when I was 10, I read about a article in my local paper about the World Air Guitar Competition, held annually every year in my hometown of Oulu, Finland. Mom and Dad had helped out at the pioneering contest back in 1996 – my mum gave out flyers, my dad organized the music. From that point, national championships have been staged all across the world, with the winners gathering in Oulu annually.
At the time, I requested permission if I could participate. They weren't sure at first; the event was in a bar, and there would be a lot of adults. They felt it might be an daunting atmosphere, but I was resolved.
In my youth, I was always performing air guitar, miming along to the most popular rock tunes with my imaginary instrument. My family were music fans – my dad loved The Boss and the Irish rock band. the band AC/DC was the original act I discovered on my own. the guitarist, the frontman guitarist, was my hero.
As I took the stage, I played my set to AC/DC’s that classic track. The audience started yelling “Angus”, similar to the album track, and it hit me: so this is to be a music icon. I made it to the finals, playing to crowds in the public plaza, and I was hooked. I earned the moniker “Little Angus” that day.
After that I stopped. I was a judge one year, and opened for the show on another occasion, but I didn't participate. I returned at 18, tried a few different stage names, but people kept calling me “Little Angus” so I decided to own it and make “The Angus” as my artist name. I’ve reached the finals annually from 2022 onward, and in 2023 I was the runner-up, so I was set to win this year.
The air guitar community is like a support system. Our guiding principle is ‘Create music, not conflict’. Though it appears humorous, but it’s a real philosophy.
The competition itself is intense but joyful. Participants have a short window to put their all – high-powered performance, precise mimicry, performance charm – on an nonexistent axe. Judges rate you on a point range from 4.0 to 6.0. If scores are equal, there’s an “showdown” between the last two competitors: a tune begins and you freestyle.
Training is crucial. I chose an a metal group song for my performance. I played it repeatedly for weeks. I stretched constantly, trying to get my limbs loose enough to leap, my digits nimble enough to imitate guitar parts and my upper body set for those gestures and hops. By the time competition day came, I could feel the song in my soul.
After everyone had performed, the results were tallied, and I had drawn with the Japanese champion, Yuta “Sudo-chan” Sudo – it was time for an final showdown. We faced off 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 thrilled to play again. As they declared I’d emerged victorious, the venue went wild.
It's all a bit fuzzy. I think I blacked out from shock. Then everyone started chanting Neil Young’s Rockin’ in the Free World and lifted me on to their backs. One of the greats – alias his stage name – a previous titleholder and one of my closest friends, was hugging me. I shed tears. I was the inaugural from Finland air guitar international titleholder in 25 years. The previous Finnish champion, Markus “Black Raven” Vainionpää, was there, too. He offered me the most heartfelt squeeze and said it was “long overdue”.
This worldwide group is like a family. Our guiding saying is “Make air, not war”. Though it appears comical, but it’s a true way of life. People come from all over the world, and each person is helpful and motivating. Before you go on stage, each contestant shows support. Then for 60 seconds you’re free to be free, playful, the top performer in the world.
I’m also a drummer and guitarist in a musical act with my sibling called the band name, named after the football manager, as we’re fans of British music genres. I’ve been working in bars for a couple of years, and I direct independent videos and performance clips. The title hasn’t changed my day-to-day life too much but I’ve been doing a many interviews, and I wish it leads to more artistic projects. Oulu will be a designated cultural center soon, so there are exciting things ahead.
Currently, I’m just appreciative: for the group, for the chance to perform, and for that little kid who picked up a newspaper and thought, “I want to do that.”
