I Became the Imaginary Guitar International Titleholder
At the age of 10, I came across a article in my community gazette about the Global Air Guitar Contest, that happens every year in my birthplace of Oulu, Finland. Mom and Dad had helped out at the inaugural contest back in 1996 – my mum distributed flyers, my father managed the music. Since then, national championships have been held all across the world, with the winners gathering in Oulu every summer.
At the time, I requested permission if I could enter. They weren't sure at first; the competition was in a bar, and there would be an older crowd. They thought it might be an overwhelming atmosphere, but I was set on it.
In my youth, I was always performing air guitar, acting out to the most popular rock tunes with my invisible instrument. My family were enthusiasts – my father loved Springsteen and the Irish rock band. the Australian rockers was the initial group I stumbled upon myself. Angus Young, the guitar hero, was my inspiration.
As I took the stage, I played my set to the band's that classic track. The audience started chanting “Angus”, similar to the concert version, and it dawned on me: so this is to be a guitar hero. I made it to the finals, playing to crowds in Oulu’s market square, and I was addicted. I earned the moniker “Little Angus” that day.
After that I stopped. I was a judge one year, and started the show on another occasion, but I didn't participate. I went back at 18, tested out several stage names, but people kept calling me “Little Angus” so I embraced it and adopt “The Angus” as my artist name. I’ve made it to the final annually from 2022 onward, and in 2023 I placed second, so I was resolved to claim victory this year.
The air guitar community is like a family. Our motto is ‘Make air, not war’. It sounds silly, but it’s a real philosophy.
The contest is intense but joyful. Competitors have 60 seconds to deliver maximum effort – explosive energy, precise mimicry, stage magnetism – on an imaginary instrument. The panel evaluate you on a point range from a specific numeric range. If scores are equal, there’s an “tiebreaker” between the final two contestants: a song plays and you improvise.
Preparation is everything. I selected an a metal group song for my routine. I listened to it on a loop for multiple weeks. I practiced flexibility, trying to get my limbs flexible enough to jump, my hands nimble enough to mimic solos and my upper body ready for those gestures and hops. When competition day dawned, I could internalize the track in my bones.
Once all acts were done, the points were announced, and I had tied with the titleholder from Japan, Yuta “Sudo-chan” Sudo – it was occasion for an final showdown. We faced off to the Guns N’ Roses hit by the iconic band. As the music started, I felt comforted because it was a tune I recognized, and above all I was so thrilled to perform one more time. As they declared I’d won, the square went wild.
My memory is blurry. I think I zoned out from shock. Then all present started performing Neil Young’s the anthem Rockin' in the Free World and lifted me on to their backs. A former champion – AKA his performer title – a past winner and one of my dear companions, was holding me. I cried. I was Finland’s first air guitar international titleholder in two and a half decades. The previous Finnish champion, the earlier victor, was there, too. He bestowed upon me the most heartfelt squeeze and said it was “long overdue”.
The air guitar community is like a support system. Our guiding saying is “Make air, not war”. It may seem humorous, but it’s a genuine belief. People come from many countries, and everyone is supportive and encouraging. Prior to performing, all participants offers an embrace. Then for 60 seconds you’re free to be free, playful, the ultimate music icon in the world.
I’m also a beat keeper and musician in a musical act with my brother called the group title, inspired by the football manager, as we’re influenced by UK rock and post-punk. I’ve been serving drinks for a few years now, and I create short films and music videos. The victory hasn’t affected my daily activities significantly but I’ve been doing a lot of press, and I hope it results in more creative work. Oulu will be a European capital of culture soon, so there are great prospects.
For now, I’m just thankful: for the community, for the ability to compete, and for that young child who read an article and thought, “I'd love to try that.”