I Became the Imaginary Guitar World Champion
Back when I was 10, I read about a story in my local paper about the Global Air Guitar Contest, that happens every year in my native city of Oulu, Finland. Mom and Dad had helped out at the very first contest since 1996 – my mother gave out flyers, dad managed the music. From that point, country-level contests have been held all across the world, with the winners converging in Oulu each August.
Back then, I inquired with my family if I could participate. They weren't sure at first; the event was in a bar, and there would be a lot of adults. They felt it might be an overwhelming atmosphere, but I was resolved.
In my youth, I was always miming air guitar, miming along to the biggest rock tunes with my imaginary instrument. My family were lovers of music – my dad loved Springsteen and the Irish rock band. AC/DC was the initial group I discovered on my own. the lead guitarist, the lead guitarist, was my idol.
As I took the stage, I did my routine to AC/DC’s Whole Lotta Rosie. The crowd started chanting “Angus”, reminiscent of the concert version, and it hit me: this must be to be a rock star. I advanced to the last round, playing to crowds in Oulu’s market square, and I was addicted. I got the nickname “Little Angus” that day.
Later I paused. I was a judge one year, and started the show another time, but I didn't participate. I went back at 18, tested out several stage names, but everyone still referred to me as “Little Angus” so I decided to own it and adopt “The Angus” as my stage name. I’ve made it to the final annually from 2022 onward, and in 2023 I placed second, so I was determined to take the title this year.
Our global network is like a close-knit group. Our motto is ‘Make air, not war’. It sounds silly, but it’s a true ethos.
The competition itself is competitive but uplifting. Participants have one minute to put their all – dynamic presence, perfect mime, stage magnetism – on an imaginary instrument. Judges evaluate you on a grading system from four to six. 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 selected an the band Avenged Sevenfold song for my performance. I played it repeatedly for multiple weeks. I stretched constantly, trying to get my limbs flexible enough to leap, my digits quick enough to mimic solos and my spine prepared for those gestures and hops. Once competition day dawned, I could sense the music in my soul.
Once all acts were done, the results were tallied, and I had tied with the titleholder from Japan, a competitor known as Sudo-chan – it was moment for an final showdown. We competed directly to the Guns N’ Roses hit by the rock group. As the music started, I felt relieved because it was one that I knew, and above all I was so thrilled to perform one more time. As they declared I’d triumphed, the area exploded.
My memory is blurry. I think I lost consciousness from the excitement. Then all present started singing the song Rockin’ in the Free World and lifted me on to their shoulders. A former champion – AKA Nordic Thunder – a previous titleholder and one of my dear companions, was holding me. I cried. I was Finland’s first air guitar global winner in two and a half decades. The previous Finnish champion, Markus “Black Raven” Vainionpää, was there, too. He gave me the most heartfelt squeeze and said it was “about damn time”.
This worldwide group is like a support system. Our guiding saying is “Create music, not conflict”. 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 a brief period you’re free to be yourself, humorous, the biggest rock star in the world.
Besides that, I'm a drummer and musician in a band with my family member called the group title, inspired by the sports figure, as we’re inspired by UK rock and post-punk. I’ve been bartending for a short time, and I create independent videos and music videos. The victory hasn’t altered my routine significantly but I’ve been doing a extensive media, and I wish it results in more innovative opportunities. Oulu will be a cultural hub soon, so there are promising opportunities.
For now, I’m just appreciative: for the network, for the ability to compete, and for that budding enthusiast who found a story and thought, “I'd love to try that.”
