I Am the Imaginary Guitar Global Winner

When I was just 10, I discovered a article in my local paper about the Global Air Guitar Contest, held annually every year in my hometown of Oulu, Finland. Mom and Dad had helped out at the very first contest back in 1996 – my mum handed out flyers, dad managed the music. Ever since, country-level contests have been organized in many nations, with the winners converging in Oulu every summer.

Initially, I asked my parents if I could enter. They weren't sure at first; the show was in a bar, and there would be a lot of adults. They believed it might be an overwhelming atmosphere, but I was resolved.

During childhood, I was always “playing” air guitar, miming along to the most popular rock tunes with my imaginary instrument. My parents were enthusiasts – my father loved Bruce Springsteen and the Irish rock band. the band AC/DC was the first band I discovered on my own. Angus Young, the lead guitarist, was my hero.

When I stepped on stage, I performed my act to the band's that classic track. The spectators started shouting “Angus”, just like the album track, and it hit me: so this is to be a guitar hero. I reached the championship, performing to hundreds of people in the public plaza, and I was addicted. I earned the moniker “Little Angus” that day.

Later I paused. I was a judge one year, and kicked off 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 decided to own it and adopt “The Angus” as my performance alias. I’ve made it to the final every year since 2022, and in 2023 I placed second, so I was set to claim victory this year.

The worldwide group is like a family. Our motto is ‘Make air, not war’. Though it appears humorous, but it’s a real philosophy.

The competition itself is intense but joyful. Participants have 60 seconds to give everything – explosive energy, precise mimicry, stage magnetism – on an imaginary instrument. Adjudicators score you on a point range from 4.0 to 6.0. If scores are equal, there’s an “tiebreaker” between the last two competitors: a track is selected and you create on the spot.

Getting ready is key. I picked an the band Avenged Sevenfold song for my act. I listened to it on a loop for a long time. I stretched constantly, trying to get my legs loose enough to jump, my digits quick enough to mimic solos and my upper body prepared for those gestures and hops. When competition day dawned, I could sense the music in my bones.

Once all acts were done, the results were tallied, and I had matched with the Japanese champion, a competitor known as Sudo-chan – it was time for an final showdown. We faced off to that classic rock anthem by the iconic band. When I heard the song, I felt at ease because it was familiar to me, and primarily I was so excited to play again. When they announced I’d won, the square erupted.

My memory is blurry. I think I lost consciousness from surprise. Then the crowd started performing the classic tune that well-known track and lifted me on to their arms. Justin Howard – also known as Nordic Thunder – a former champion and one of my dear companions, was holding me. I wept. I was Finland’s first air guitar international titleholder in 25 years. The earlier winner from Finland, Markus “Black Raven” Vainionpää, was there, too. He bestowed upon me the biggest hug and said it was “long overdue”.

Our global network is like a family. Our motto is “Create music, not conflict”. Though it appears comical, but it’s a real philosophy. Participants come from globally, and all involved is supportive and encouraging. Prior to performing, all participants offers an embrace. Then for a brief period you’re free to be yourself, humorous, the ultimate music icon in the world.

Besides that, I'm a beat keeper and guitarist in a musical act with my sibling called the group title, named after the sports figure, as we’re fans of British music genres. I’ve been working in bars for a couple of years, and I direct short films and music videos. The victory hasn’t changed my day-to-day life too much but I’ve been doing a lot of press, and I aspire it leads to more creative work. The city will be a European capital of culture the coming year, so there are great prospects.

Currently, I’m just grateful: for the group, for the opportunity to play, and for that budding enthusiast who picked up a newspaper and thought, “I want to do that.”