I Became the Imaginary Guitar Global Winner
Back when I was 10, I discovered a article in my local paper about the Air Guitar World Championships, that happens every year in my hometown of Oulu, Finland. My parents had volunteered at the very first contest since 1996 – mom handed out flyers, dad managed the music. From that point, country-level contests have been staged in many nations, with the champions gathering in Oulu annually.
Back then, I requested permission if I could participate. Initially they had doubts; the show was in a bar, and there would be a lot of adults. They believed it might be an intimidating atmosphere, but I was resolved.
During childhood, I was always miming air guitar, pretending to play to the iconic rock tunes with my invisible instrument. My family were enthusiasts – dad loved Bruce Springsteen and U2. the Australian rockers was the original act I discovered on my own. Angus Young, the lead guitarist, was my inspiration.
As I took the stage, I played my set to AC/DC’s that classic track. The spectators started shouting “Angus”, just like the live recording, and it hit me: so this is to be a guitar hero. I made it to the finals, competing to a large audience in the town square, and I was addicted. I was dubbed “Little Angus” that day.
Then I took a break. I was a referee one year, and started the show on another occasion, but I stayed out of the contest. I returned at 18, tried a few different stage names, but fans continued using “Little Angus” so I decided to own it and choose “The Angus” as my stage name. I’ve made it to the final annually from 2022 onward, and in 2023 I placed second, so I was set to win this year.
Our global network is like a support system. Our guiding principle is ‘Create music, not conflict’. It may seem funny, but it’s a true ethos.
The contest is high-energy yet fun. Participants have one minute to deliver maximum effort – high-powered performance, flawless imitation, stage magnetism – on an invisible guitar. Judges score you on a grading system from a specific numeric range. If scores are equal, there’s an “air-off” between the final two contestants: a tune begins and you freestyle.
Training is crucial. I selected an the band Avenged Sevenfold song for my routine. I listened to it on a loop for multiple weeks. I practiced flexibility, trying to get my legs flexible enough to leap, my fingers fast enough to copy riffs and my back prepared for those moves and leaps. By the time competition day came, I could feel the song in my being.
When the show concluded, the results were tallied, and I had tied with the winner from Japan, a competitor known as Sudo-chan – it was occasion for an air-off. We faced off to Sweet Child o’ Mine by the rock group. As the music started, I felt relieved because it was a tune I recognized, and primarily I was so thrilled to perform one more time. Once the results were read I’d emerged victorious, the area exploded.
It's all a bit fuzzy. I think I lost consciousness from surprise. Then everyone started chanting the classic tune the anthem Rockin' in the Free World and raised me up on to their backs. Justin Howard – also known as his performer title – a past winner and one of my dear companions, was holding me. I wept. I was the inaugural from Finland air guitar international titleholder in two and a half decades. The prior titleholder, the earlier victor, was in attendance as well. He offered me the biggest hug and said it was “finally happening”.
This worldwide group is like a support system. Our motto is “Create music, not conflict”. It may seem humorous, but it’s a genuine belief. Participants come from many countries, and all involved is supportive and encouraging. Before you go on stage, all participants offers an embrace. Then for one minute you’re free to be free, humorous, the top performer in the world.
Additionally, I am a percussionist and string player in a band with my brother called the group title, referencing the football manager, as we’re influenced by British music genres. 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 lot of press, and I hope it results in more artistic projects. Oulu will be a designated cultural center the coming year, so there are exciting things ahead.
Currently, I’m just grateful: for the network, for the ability to compete, and for that budding enthusiast who picked up a newspaper and thought, “I want to do that.”
