I Became the Imaginary Guitar Global Winner
At the age of 10, I discovered a article in my community gazette about the Global Air Guitar Contest, that happens every year in my native city of Oulu, Finland. My parents had helped out at the pioneering contest starting from 1996 – mom gave out flyers, dad organized the music. From that point, national championships have been held all across the world, with the champions assembling in Oulu each August.
Initially, I asked my parents if I could compete. At first they were hesitant; the competition was in a bar, and there would be an older crowd. They thought it might be an daunting atmosphere, but I was resolved.
In my youth, I was always miming air guitar, miming along to the biggest rock tunes with my invisible instrument. My parents were enthusiasts – my father loved Bruce Springsteen and the Irish rock band. AC/DC was the first band I stumbled upon myself. Angus Young, the guitar hero, was my idol.
As I took the stage, I played my set to the band's the song Whole Lotta Rosie. The spectators started chanting “Angus”, reminiscent of the concert version, and it struck me: so this is to be a guitar hero. I advanced to the last round, playing to a large audience in Oulu’s market square, and I was hooked. I earned the moniker “Little Angus” that day.
Later I paused. I was a judge one year, and started the show once more, but I stayed out of the contest. I went back at 18, tried a few different stage names, but everyone still referred to me as “Little Angus” so I accepted it fully and choose “The Angus” as my artist name. I’ve reached the finals each competition since then, and in 2023 I was the runner-up, so I was resolved to win this year.
The worldwide group is like a family. The saying we live by is ‘Play air guitar, avoid battles’. It may seem funny, but it’s a genuine belief.
The event is intense but joyful. Participants have a short window to put their all – high-powered performance, perfect mime, rock star charisma – on an imaginary instrument. Judges evaluate you on a scale from four to six. If scores are equal, there’s an “tiebreaker” between the final two contestants: a track is selected and you create on the spot.
Preparation is everything. I selected an a metal group song for my performance. I had it on repeat for multiple weeks. I stretched constantly, trying to get my limbs loose enough to bound, my fingers fast enough to mimic solos and my spine prepared for those bends and jumps. When the big day dawned, I could feel the song in my being.
Once all acts were done, the points were announced, and I had drawn with the winner from Japan, Yuta “Sudo-chan” Sudo – it was time for an final showdown. We went head-to-head to Sweet Child o’ Mine by Guns N’ Roses. Once the track began, I felt relieved because it was familiar to me, and primarily I was so eager to have another go. As they declared I’d won, the area went wild.
My memory is blurry. I think I blacked out from shock. Then all present started singing the classic tune that well-known track and raised me up on to their backs. A former champion – alias his stage name – a former champion and one of my dear companions, was hugging me. I shed tears. I was the inaugural from Finland air guitar global winner in a quarter-century. The previous Finnish champion, Markus “Black Raven” Vainionpää, was in attendance as well. He offered me the most heartfelt squeeze and said it was “about damn time”.
This worldwide group is like a family. The phrase we live by is “Create music, not conflict”. It may seem humorous, but it’s a true way of life. People come from all over the world, and all involved is helpful and motivating. Prior to performing, each contestant shows support. Then for a brief period you’re allowed to be yourself, silly, the top performer in the world.
I’m also a beat keeper and guitarist in a musical act with my sibling called the band name, referencing the football manager, as we’re inspired by UK rock and post-punk. I’ve been bartending for a few years now, and I produce short films and performance clips. The title hasn’t altered my routine significantly but I’ve been doing a many interviews, and I wish it brings more creative work. My hometown will be a European capital of culture next year, so there are promising opportunities.
Currently, I’m just grateful: for the group, for the chance to perform, and for that young child who read an article and thought, “That's for me.”
