I Became the Imaginary Guitar World Champion
When I was just 10, I discovered a feature in my hometown newspaper about the World Air Guitar Competition, held annually every year in my hometown of Oulu, Finland. My family had volunteered at the pioneering contest back in 1996 – my mum gave out flyers, dad sorted the music. Since then, national championships have been organized globally, with the titleholders gathering in Oulu each August.
At the time, I requested permission if I could participate. At first they were hesitant; the competition was in a bar, and there would be a lot of adults. They felt it might be an overwhelming atmosphere, but I was set on it.
As a kid, I was always performing air guitar, pretending to play to the biggest rock tunes with my imaginary instrument. My family were enthusiasts – my father loved The Boss and the Irish rock band. AC/DC was the initial group I found independently. Angus Young, the guitar hero, was my idol.
When I stepped on stage, I did my routine to the band's that classic track. The audience started shouting “Angus”, reminiscent of the live recording, and it struck me: this is what it feels like to be a rock star. I advanced to the last round, performing to hundreds of people in the town square, and I was hooked. I was dubbed “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 came back at 18, tested out several stage names, but people kept calling me “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 came second, so I was set to take the title this year.
The worldwide group is like a support system. Our motto is ‘Create music, not conflict’. Though it appears humorous, but it’s a real philosophy.
The event is high-energy yet fun. Participants have a short window to put their all – high-powered performance, flawless imitation, stage magnetism – on an nonexistent axe. Judges score you on a point range from a specific numeric range. If scores are equal, there’s an “tiebreaker” between the last two competitors: a track is selected and you improvise.
Training is crucial. I selected an the band Avenged Sevenfold song for my act. I had it on repeat for multiple weeks. I stretched constantly, trying to get my legs loose enough to bound, my fingers nimble enough to imitate guitar parts and my upper body ready for those moves and leaps. When competition day dawned, I could feel the song in my being.
After everyone had performed, the points were announced, and I had tied with the Japanese champion, Yuta “Sudo-chan” Sudo – it was moment for an final showdown. We competed directly to that classic rock anthem by the rock group. As the music started, I felt at ease because it was one that I knew, and more than anything I was so eager to play again. As they declared I’d triumphed, the venue erupted.
It's all a bit fuzzy. I think I zoned out from shock. Then the crowd started singing the song the anthem Rockin' in the Free World and raised me up on to their shoulders. A former champion – also known as his performer title – a past winner and one of my dear companions, was hugging me. I wept. I was the inaugural from Finland air guitar world champion in two and a half decades. The earlier winner from Finland, Markus “Black Raven” Vainionpää, was in attendance as well. He offered me the most heartfelt squeeze and said it was “finally happening”.
Our global network is like a family. Our motto is “Focus on fun, not fighting”. It sounds silly, but it’s a genuine belief. People come from globally, and everyone is helpful and motivating. Before you go on stage, all participants comes and hugs you. Then for a brief period you’re allowed to be uninhibited, silly, the biggest rock star in the world.
I’m also a beat keeper and guitarist in a musical act with my family member called the group title, referencing the football manager, as we’re fans of UK rock and post-punk. I’ve been serving drinks for a couple of years, and I create independent videos and performance clips. The title hasn’t changed my day-to-day life significantly but I’ve been doing a many interviews, and I wish it leads to more artistic projects. My hometown will be a designated cultural center next year, so there are great prospects.
At present, I’m just grateful: for the group, for the opportunity to play, and for that little kid who found a story and thought, “That's for me.”
