I Am the Imaginary Guitar World Champion
At the age of 10, I read about a story in my hometown newspaper about the Air Guitar World Championships, held annually every year in my native city of Oulu, Finland. My family had helped out at the pioneering contest back in 1996 – mom distributed flyers, my father organized the music. Ever since, national championships have been held all across the world, with the champions gathering in Oulu each August.
Initially, I inquired with my family if I could enter. Initially they had doubts; the show was in a bar, and there would be a lot of adults. They felt it might be an intimidating atmosphere, but I was resolved.
During childhood, I was always performing air guitar, acting out to the most popular rock tunes with my invisible instrument. My family were music fans – dad loved Springsteen and U2. AC/DC was the original act I found independently. Angus Young, the lead guitarist, was my idol.
Upon entering the spotlight, I played my set to AC/DC’s Whole Lotta Rosie. The audience started yelling “Angus”, just like the concert version, and it dawned on me: so this is to be a rock star. I advanced to the last round, playing to hundreds of people in the town square, and I was addicted. I was dubbed “Little Angus” that day.
Later I paused. I was a judge one year, and started the show once more, but I didn’t compete. I returned at 18, tried a few different stage names, but people kept calling me “Little Angus” so I accepted it fully and make “The Angus” as my performance alias. I’ve reached the finals every year since 2022, and in 2023 I placed second, so I was determined to take the title this year.
The worldwide group is like a support system. Our guiding principle is ‘Create music, not conflict’. It may seem funny, but it’s a true ethos.
The event is competitive but uplifting. Competitors have a short window to deliver maximum effort – explosive energy, precise mimicry, rock star charisma – on an nonexistent axe. Judges score you on a grading system from a specific numeric range. When it's a draw, there’s an “tiebreaker” between the last two competitors: a tune begins and you improvise.
Training is crucial. I selected an Avenged Sevenfold song for my performance. I listened to it on a loop for weeks. I did regular stretches, trying to get my limbs prepared enough to bound, my fingers nimble enough to imitate guitar parts and my upper body ready for those bends and jumps. When the big day came, I could feel the song in my being.
When the show concluded, the results were tallied, and I had matched with the winner from Japan, the Japanese titleholder – it was moment for an final showdown. We faced off to that classic rock anthem by Guns N’ Roses. As the music started, I felt at ease because it was familiar to me, and more than anything I was so thrilled to play again. When they announced I’d emerged victorious, the venue went wild.
The moment is hazy. I think I lost consciousness from the excitement. Then all present started singing Neil Young’s Rockin’ in the Free World and raised me up on to their backs. One of the greats – AKA his stage name – a past winner and one of my closest friends, was holding me. I wept. I was the inaugural from Finland air guitar global winner in 25 years. The prior titleholder, Markus “Black Raven” Vainionpää, was also present. He offered me the biggest hug and said it was “about damn time”.
Our global network is like a support system. Our motto is “Make air, not war”. It sounds silly, but it’s a true way of life. Competitors come from all over the world, and each person is positive and uplifting. Prior to performing, each contestant offers an embrace. Then for one minute you’re free to be uninhibited, silly, the ultimate music icon in the world.
Besides that, I'm a drummer and string player in a group with my sibling called the Southgates, referencing the sports figure, as we’re inspired by British music genres. I’ve been working in bars for a few years now, and I direct mini movies and performance clips. The title hasn’t changed my day-to-day life too much but I’ve been doing a extensive media, and I aspire it leads to more artistic projects. The city will be a cultural hub soon, so there are great prospects.
Currently, I’m just grateful: for the community, for the ability to compete, and for that budding enthusiast who picked up a newspaper and thought, “I want to do that.”