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At the age of 10, I discovered a feature in my community gazette about the Air Guitar World Championships, that happens every year in my birthplace of Oulu, Finland. Mom and Dad had volunteered at the pioneering contest back in 1996 – my mum gave out flyers, my father sorted the music. From that point, national championships have been staged in many nations, with the titleholders gathering in Oulu each August.

Initially, I asked my parents if I could enter. Initially they had doubts; the show was in a bar, and there would be an older crowd. They thought it might be an daunting atmosphere, but I was determined.

As a kid, I was always miming air guitar, miming along to the most popular rock tunes with my imaginary instrument. My family were music fans – my dad loved Springsteen and the Irish rock band. the band AC/DC was the original act I stumbled upon myself. Angus Young, the frontman guitarist, was my inspiration.

Upon entering the spotlight, I played my set to AC/DC’s that classic track. The crowd started yelling “Angus”, just like the album track, and it dawned on me: this must be to be a music icon. I advanced to the last round, playing to hundreds of people in the public plaza, and I was hooked. I was dubbed “Little Angus” that day.

Later I paused. I was a adjudicator one year, and opened for the show another time, but I stayed out of the contest. I returned at 18, tried a few different stage names, but everyone still referred to me as “Little Angus” so I accepted it fully and adopt “The Angus” as my performance alias. I’ve qualified for the last round annually from 2022 onward, and in 2023 I was the runner-up, so I was determined to win this year.

The worldwide group is like a family. Our motto is ‘Create music, not conflict’. Though it appears humorous, but it’s a true ethos.

The event is competitive but uplifting. Participants have 60 seconds to put their all – high-powered performance, precise mimicry, rock star charisma – on an invisible guitar. Adjudicators evaluate 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 song plays and you improvise.

Getting ready is key. I chose an Avenged Sevenfold song for my routine. I had it on repeat for a long time. I did regular stretches, trying to get my legs flexible enough to bound, my digits quick enough to mimic solos and my back ready for those moves and leaps. By the time the big day arrived, I could feel the song in my bones.

When the show concluded, the results were tallied, and I had drawn with the titleholder from Japan, the Japanese titleholder – it was time for an final showdown. We went head-to-head to Sweet Child o’ Mine by Guns N’ Roses. As the music started, I felt comforted because it was a tune I recognized, and above all I was so eager to have another go. When they announced I’d triumphed, the square went wild.

It's all a bit fuzzy. I think I zoned out from surprise. Then all present started singing the song Rockin’ in the Free World and lifted me on to their shoulders. Justin Howard – alias his stage name – a past winner and one of my dear companions, was hugging me. I shed tears. I was the first Finnish air guitar international titleholder in a quarter-century. The earlier winner from Finland, Markus “Black Raven” Vainionpää, was there, too. He gave me the biggest hug and said it was “about damn time”.

The air guitar community is like a close-knit group. Our guiding saying is “Make air, not war”. It may seem humorous, but it’s a real philosophy. Competitors come from globally, and everyone is helpful and motivating. Before you go on stage, every competitor shows support. Then for 60 seconds you’re allowed to be yourself, playful, the biggest rock star in the world.

Additionally, I am a drummer and guitarist in a musical act with my brother called the Southgates, named after the sports figure, as we’re inspired by UK rock and post-punk. I’ve been serving drinks for a few years now, and I direct short films and performance clips. The title hasn’t affected my daily activities too much but I’ve been doing a lot of press, and I wish it results in more artistic projects. Oulu will be a cultural hub soon, so there are great prospects.

For now, I’m just thankful: for the network, for the chance to perform, and for that budding enthusiast who picked up a newspaper and thought, “That's for me.”