I Am the Imaginary Guitar World Champion
When I was just 10, I read about a article in my local paper about the World Air Guitar Competition, which take place every year in my native city of Oulu, Finland. My family had participated at the pioneering contest starting from 1996 – my mum gave out flyers, my dad sorted the music. Since then, country-level contests have been organized all across the world, with the champions converging in Oulu every summer.
Initially, I inquired with my family if I could compete. They weren't sure at first; the competition was in a bar, and there would be many grown-ups. They believed it might be an intimidating atmosphere, but I was set on it.
In my youth, I was always performing air guitar, acting out to the most popular rock tunes with my imaginary instrument. My family were lovers of music – my father loved The Boss and U2. the band AC/DC was the original act I stumbled upon myself. the guitarist, the lead guitarist, was my idol.
Upon entering the spotlight, I played my set to AC/DC’s that classic track. The audience started yelling “Angus”, similar to the album track, and it hit me: so this is to be a music icon. I advanced to the last round, competing to hundreds of people in the town square, and I was captivated. I earned the moniker “Little Angus” that day.
Later I paused. I was a judge one year, and opened for the show another time, but I didn't participate. I went back at 18, experimented with various 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 take the title this year.
Our global network is like a family. Our guiding principle is ‘Create music, not conflict’. It sounds silly, but it’s a true ethos.
The contest is competitive but uplifting. Contestants have a short window to deliver maximum effort – explosive energy, precise mimicry, rock star charisma – on an imaginary instrument. Adjudicators score you on a point range from four to six. In the case of a tie, there’s an “showdown” between the remaining participants: a song plays and you create on the spot.
Getting ready is key. I picked an the band Avenged Sevenfold song for my routine. I listened to it on a loop for weeks. I practiced flexibility, trying to get my lower body flexible enough to bound, my fingers quick enough to copy riffs and my back set for those moves and leaps. Once the event came, I could sense the music in my being.
After everyone had performed, the scores came in, and I had matched with the Japanese champion, the Japanese titleholder – it was time for an air-off. We went head-to-head to the Guns N’ Roses hit by the rock group. When I heard the song, I felt comforted because it was one that I knew, and above all I was so eager to perform one more time. Once the results were read I’d emerged victorious, the area erupted.
The moment is hazy. I think I lost consciousness from the excitement. Then the crowd started singing Neil Young’s the anthem Rockin' in the Free World and hoisted me on to their shoulders. Justin Howard – AKA his stage name – a former champion and one of my best pals, was hugging me. I wept. I was the inaugural from Finland air guitar international titleholder in 25 years. The prior titleholder, Markus “Black Raven” Vainionpää, was in attendance as well. He offered me the biggest hug and said it was “about damn time”.
This worldwide group is like a support system. Our motto is “Make air, not war”. Though it appears comical, but it’s a real philosophy. Competitors come from many countries, and everyone is helpful and motivating. Prior to performing, each contestant comes and hugs you. Then for one minute you’re allowed to be free, playful, the biggest rock star in the world.
Besides that, I'm a percussionist and guitarist in a band with my family member called the band name, named after the football manager, as we’re influenced by Britpop and new wave. I’ve been bartending for a couple of years, and I produce short films and song visuals. Winning hasn’t changed my day-to-day life too much but I’ve been doing a many interviews, and I aspire it results in more artistic projects. Oulu will be a designated cultural center the coming year, so there are promising opportunities.
For now, I’m just grateful: for the community, for the ability to compete, and for that little kid who read an article and thought, “That's for me.”
