I Became the Imaginary Guitar World Champion
When I was just 10, I discovered a feature in my local paper about the Global Air Guitar Contest, which take place every year in my birthplace of Oulu, Finland. My family had helped out at the pioneering contest since 1996 – my mum handed out flyers, dad managed the music. From that point, national championships have been held globally, with the titleholders assembling in Oulu every summer.
At the time, I requested permission if I could enter. They weren't sure at first; the competition was in a bar, and there would be a lot of adults. They thought it might be an intimidating atmosphere, but I was set on it.
During childhood, I was always miming air guitar, acting out to the most popular rock tunes with my make-believe instrument. My family were music fans – dad loved Bruce Springsteen and the Irish rock band. AC/DC was the original act I found independently. Angus Young, the frontman guitarist, was my idol.
When I stepped on stage, I performed my act 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 rock star. I reached the championship, performing to crowds in the public plaza, and I was addicted. I was dubbed “Little Angus” that day.
After that I stopped. I was a judge one year, and opened for the show once more, but I stayed out of the contest. I went back 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 made it to the final each competition since then, and in 2023 I was the runner-up, so I was set to claim victory this year.
Our global network is like a support system. Our guiding principle is ‘Create music, not conflict’. It sounds silly, but it’s a true ethos.
The contest is high-energy yet fun. Competitors have 60 seconds to deliver maximum effort – dynamic presence, precise mimicry, rock star charisma – on an imaginary instrument. Adjudicators rate you on a scale from four to six. In the case of a tie, there’s an “tiebreaker” between the final two contestants: a song plays and you improvise.
Training is crucial. I selected an a metal group song for my act. I had it on repeat for weeks. I stretched constantly, trying to get my lower body loose enough to bound, my digits quick enough to copy riffs and my back prepared for those bends and jumps. When the event came, I could internalize the track in my soul.
Once all acts were done, the scores came in, and I had matched with the titleholder from Japan, a competitor known as Sudo-chan – it was time for an tiebreaker. We went head-to-head to the Guns N’ Roses hit by Guns N’ Roses. Once the track began, I felt comforted because it was familiar to me, and above all I was so thrilled to play again. Once the results were read I’d emerged victorious, the square went wild.
The moment is hazy. I think I blacked out from surprise. Then the crowd started performing Neil Young’s Rockin’ in the Free World and lifted me on to their shoulders. A former champion – AKA his performer title – a former champion and one of my closest friends, was embracing me. I cried. I was Finland’s first air guitar international titleholder in a quarter-century. The prior titleholder, the former champion, was there, too. He gave me the warmest embrace and said it was “long overdue”.
Our global network is like a close-knit group. Our guiding saying is “Create music, not conflict”. It may seem humorous, but it’s a genuine belief. Participants come from many countries, and everyone is helpful and motivating. Before you go on stage, every competitor shows support. Then for one minute you’re allowed to be uninhibited, playful, the top performer in the world.
Besides that, I'm a beat keeper and guitarist in a group with my brother called the band name, inspired by the sports figure, as we’re influenced by British music genres. I’ve been bartending for a couple of years, and I produce independent videos and song visuals. Winning hasn’t altered my routine significantly but I’ve been doing a extensive media, and I hope it results in more innovative opportunities. My hometown will be a European capital of culture the coming year, so there are exciting things ahead.
Currently, I’m just appreciative: for the network, for the opportunity to play, and for that budding enthusiast who read an article and thought, “That's for me.”
