OULU, Finland (AP) — They're the most passionate musicians you've never heard of.
Competitors at this year's Air Guitar World Championships in Finland got in shape Friday for the 27th edition of the competition, which will be the Olympics of air guitar and feature such dedicated competitors as “Shred Lasso” and “Guitarrantula.”
This year's competition began Wednesday with aerial competition in the city of Oulu, about 540 kilometers (335 miles) north of Helsinki, featuring classes open to veterans and beginners alike. Dark horse qualifiers will continue on Thursday, with the winner to be decided on Friday in the world championship final.
Japan's Nanami “Seven Seas” Nagura won her third title last year, making her the most winning air guitarist in the competition since it began in 1996. She is looking for her fourth consecutive victory, facing off against nine dark horses and national champions from the United States, Belgium, Canada, Germany, Ireland, Finland and France.
Contestants perform two songs in two rounds, with each round lasting 60 seconds. Passionate performance is required, but authentic pick or fingerpicking style is optional. Props and costumes are permitted, but backing bands and real instruments are not.
According to the contest's online rulebook, judges will consider contestants' “originality, musical compellingness, stage presence, technical merit, artistic impact and ease” and award points on a scale of 4.0 to 6.0. The contestant with the highest cumulative score will win.
In addition to international camaraderie, the tournament also promotes inclusivity.
“Playing air guitar is not an instrumental sport or art, and it does not require any special location or skill, so anyone can start,” the championship's website states. “Air guitar can be learned regardless of gender, age, ethnic background, sexual orientation or social status. Playing air guitar is equal.”
Don't worry: Whoever the winner is, no one's air-guitaring here is quietly weeping: Contest organizers, running the slogan “Let's make air, not war,” aim to promote world peace.
“The philosophy of the contest is that if everyone in the world plays air guitar, there will be no wars, climate change will stop, and all evil will disappear,” the website states. “That's why, at the end of the contest, we invite the entire universe to play air guitar for world peace.”
Pick up an air guitar and play it.
