I Became the Imaginary Guitar Global Winner
At the age of 10, I discovered a feature in my local paper about the World Air Guitar Competition, held annually every year in my birthplace of Oulu, Finland. My parents had volunteered at the pioneering contest starting from 1996 – my mum handed out flyers, my father sorted the music. From that point, national championships have been held globally, with the champions assembling in Oulu annually.
At the time, I inquired with my family if I could enter. They weren't sure at first; the show was in a bar, and there would be an older crowd. They believed it might be an intimidating atmosphere, but I was set on it.
As a kid, I was always “playing” air guitar, acting out to the most popular rock tunes with my invisible instrument. My parents were music fans – my dad loved Springsteen and the Irish rock band. the band AC/DC was the initial group I found independently. the lead guitarist, the lead guitarist, was my hero.
As I took the stage, I performed my act to AC/DC’s the song Whole Lotta Rosie. The spectators started yelling “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 public plaza, and I was addicted. I was dubbed “Little Angus” that day.
Then I took a break. I was a referee one year, and kicked off the show once more, but I didn’t compete. I came back at 18, experimented with various 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 annually from 2022 onward, and in 2023 I was the runner-up, so I was determined to win this year.
Our global network is like a close-knit group. The saying we live by is ‘Create music, not conflict’. Though it appears humorous, but it’s a genuine belief.
The event is intense but joyful. Contestants have 60 seconds to give everything – dynamic presence, perfect mime, rock star charisma – on an nonexistent axe. Judges score you on a point range from 4.0 to 6.0. In the case of a tie, there’s an “air-off” between the remaining participants: a tune begins and you create on the spot.
Preparation is everything. I picked an Avenged Sevenfold song for my performance. I listened to it on a loop for weeks. I did regular stretches, trying to get my lower body loose enough to bound, my fingers nimble enough to imitate guitar parts and my spine ready for those gestures and hops. Once competition day came, I could feel the song in my being.
After everyone had performed, the points were announced, and I had drawn with the winner from Japan, the Japanese titleholder – it was occasion for an tiebreaker. We faced off to the Guns N’ Roses hit by the rock group. As the music started, I felt comforted because it was familiar to me, and above all I was so eager to perform one more time. When they announced I’d won, the square exploded.
It's all a bit fuzzy. I think I blacked out from surprise. Then all present started singing Neil Young’s Rockin’ in the Free World and lifted me on to their arms. One of the greats – also known as his stage name – a previous titleholder and one of my closest friends, was hugging me. I cried. I was the first Finnish air guitar global winner in 25 years. The earlier winner from Finland, the earlier victor, was there, too. He bestowed upon me the biggest hug and said it was “about damn time”.
The air guitar community is like a support system. The phrase we live by is “Make air, not war”. It sounds silly, but it’s a true way of life. People come from all over the world, and everyone is helpful and motivating. Before you go on stage, all participants shows support. Then for a brief period you’re able to be yourself, playful, the top performer in the world.
I’m also a percussionist and string player in a band with my sibling called the Southgates, named after the football manager, as we’re inspired by UK rock and post-punk. I’ve been serving drinks for a few years now, and I produce short films and music videos. The victory hasn’t changed my day-to-day life drastically but I’ve been doing a extensive media, and I wish it brings more innovative opportunities. Oulu will be a designated cultural center soon, so there are exciting things ahead.
At present, I’m just grateful: for the network, for the ability to compete, and for that little kid who read an article and thought, “I'd love to try that.”
