I Am the Imaginary Guitar Global Winner

When I was just 10, I came across a feature in my hometown newspaper about the Global Air Guitar Contest, that happens every year in my hometown of Oulu, Finland. My family had volunteered at the very first contest back in 1996 – my mother handed out flyers, my dad managed the music. From that point, country-level contests have been staged in many nations, with the winners gathering in Oulu annually.

At the time, I requested permission if I could enter. Initially they had doubts; the event was in a bar, and there would be many grown-ups. They felt it might be an overwhelming atmosphere, but I was set on it.

As a kid, I was always miming air guitar, miming along to the iconic rock tunes with my invisible instrument. My family were music fans – my dad loved The Boss and U2. AC/DC was the initial group I discovered on my own. Angus Young, the guitar hero, was my idol.

As I took the stage, I performed my act to AC/DC’s Whole Lotta Rosie. The spectators started yelling “Angus”, reminiscent of the live recording, and it hit me: this must be to be a guitar hero. I advanced to the last round, performing to a large audience in the public plaza, and I was captivated. I got the nickname “Little Angus” that day.

After that I stopped. I was a judge one year, and kicked off the show on another occasion, but I stayed out of the contest. I returned at 18, tested out several stage names, but fans continued using “Little Angus” so I embraced it and adopt “The Angus” as my artist name. I’ve reached the finals every year since 2022, and in 2023 I was the runner-up, so I was set to take the title this year.

The worldwide group is like a family. Our guiding principle is ‘Play air guitar, avoid battles’. It sounds silly, but it’s a real philosophy.

The competition itself is competitive but uplifting. Competitors have one minute to put their all – explosive energy, precise mimicry, stage magnetism – on an invisible guitar. Judges rate you on a scale from four to six. In the case of a tie, there’s an “air-off” between the final two contestants: a song plays and you freestyle.

Preparation is everything. I chose an a metal group song for my performance. I played it repeatedly for weeks. I did regular stretches, trying to get my legs prepared enough to bound, my hands fast enough to imitate guitar parts and my upper body ready for those gestures and hops. By the time competition day came, I could feel the song in my bones.

After everyone had performed, the points were announced, and I had tied with the winner from Japan, Yuta “Sudo-chan” Sudo – it was time for an final showdown. We faced off to the Guns N’ Roses hit by the rock group. When I heard the song, I felt relieved because it was familiar to me, and more than anything I was so excited to perform one more time. Once the results were read I’d won, the venue erupted.

The moment is hazy. I think I blacked out from shock. Then everyone started singing the classic tune the anthem Rockin' in the Free World and lifted me on to their shoulders. A former champion – alias Nordic Thunder – a past winner and one of my dear companions, was holding me. I wept. I was the first Finnish air guitar global winner in a quarter-century. The previous Finnish champion, the earlier victor, was also present. He offered me the warmest embrace and said it was “long overdue”.

This worldwide group is like a support system. Our guiding saying is “Focus on fun, not fighting”. It may seem humorous, but it’s a true way of life. People come from globally, and each person is positive and uplifting. Prior to performing, every competitor offers an embrace. Then for 60 seconds you’re allowed to be yourself, playful, the top performer in the world.

I’m also a percussionist and guitarist in a group with my family member called the group title, referencing the sports figure, as we’re fans of British music genres. I’ve been serving drinks for a short time, and I create short films and song visuals. Winning hasn’t changed my day-to-day life drastically but I’ve been doing a extensive media, and I hope it results in more creative work. The city will be a cultural hub the coming year, so there are promising opportunities.

At present, I’m just grateful: for the group, for the chance to perform, and for that young child who picked up a newspaper and thought, “That's for me.”