I Became the Imaginary Guitar Global Winner
At the age of 10, I read about a article in my local paper about the Global Air Guitar Contest, that happens every year in my hometown of Oulu, Finland. My parents had volunteered at the very first contest starting from 1996 – my mum gave out flyers, my dad sorted the music. From that point, national championships have been staged globally, with the champions converging in Oulu each August.
Back then, I asked my parents if I could compete. Initially they had doubts; the competition was in a bar, and there would be many grown-ups. They felt it might be an overwhelming atmosphere, but I was resolved.
During childhood, I was always “playing” air guitar, acting out to the most popular rock tunes with my make-believe instrument. Mom and Dad were music fans – my dad loved The Boss and U2. the Australian rockers was the first band I discovered on my own. the guitarist, the lead guitarist, was my inspiration.
Upon entering the spotlight, I played my set to AC/DC’s Whole Lotta Rosie. The audience started chanting “Angus”, just like the live recording, and it struck me: this must be to be a music icon. I made it to the finals, playing to hundreds of people in Oulu’s market square, and I was captivated. I was dubbed “Little Angus” that day.
Later I paused. I was a referee one year, and kicked off the show another time, but I stayed out of the contest. I came back at 18, experimented with various stage names, but fans continued using “Little Angus” so I accepted it fully and adopt “The Angus” as my artist name. I’ve qualified for the last round every year since 2022, and in 2023 I placed second, so I was set to take the title this year.
Our global network is like a support system. Our motto is ‘Create music, not conflict’. It may seem funny, but it’s a genuine belief.
The event is intense but joyful. Competitors have a short window to put their all – high-powered performance, flawless imitation, rock star charisma – on an nonexistent axe. Judges rate you on a grading system from four to six. If scores are equal, there’s an “tiebreaker” between the remaining participants: a song plays and you improvise.
Training is crucial. I picked an the band Avenged Sevenfold song for my act. I played it repeatedly for a long time. I practiced flexibility, trying to get my limbs prepared enough to jump, my digits fast enough to imitate guitar parts and my upper body set for those gestures and hops. When competition day arrived, I could feel the song in my being.
After everyone had performed, the results were tallied, and I had matched with the winner from Japan, a competitor known as Sudo-chan – it was time for an tiebreaker. We faced off to the Guns N’ Roses hit by the iconic band. As the music started, I felt comforted because it was one that I knew, and more than anything I was so thrilled to perform one more time. When they announced I’d emerged victorious, the venue went wild.
My memory is blurry. I think I lost consciousness from surprise. Then everyone started chanting Neil Young’s Rockin’ in the Free World and lifted me on to their backs. Justin Howard – also known as his stage name – a previous titleholder and one of my best pals, was holding me. I shed tears. I was the inaugural from Finland air guitar world champion in a quarter-century. The previous Finnish champion, the former champion, was in attendance as well. He offered me the biggest hug and said it was “finally happening”.
Our global network is like a family. Our motto is “Create music, not conflict”. It may seem humorous, but it’s a real philosophy. People come from globally, and each person is helpful and motivating. Prior to performing, each contestant shows support. Then for one minute you’re free to be free, silly, the biggest rock star in the world.
I’m also a beat keeper and musician in a band with my family member called the group title, named after the football manager, as we’re fans of UK rock and post-punk. I’ve been working in bars for a couple of years, and I direct short films and song visuals. Winning hasn’t altered my routine too much but I’ve been doing a extensive media, and I aspire it leads to more creative work. The city will be a cultural hub next year, so there are promising opportunities.
At present, I’m just thankful: for the community, for the ability to compete, and for that little kid who found a story and thought, “I'd love to try that.”
