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Air Guitar World Champion 2023 is Nanami "Seven Seas" Nagura from Japan. This is the third time she has won the title and she is now the most successful competitor in Air Guitar World Championships' history.
Aapo "The Angus" Rautio from Oulu, Finland made it to the second place. The third place went to last year's world champion Kirill "Guitarantula" Blumenkrats.
Results:
- Nanami "Seven Seas" Nagura (Japan) 35,8 points
- Aapo “the Angus” Rautio (Finland) 35,2 points
- Kirill "Guitarantula" Blumenkrats (France) 35,1 points
- Matt "AIRstotle" Burns (USA) 34,8 points
- Corentin “Airgus” Fermont (Belgium) 34,6 points
- Frederic "French Kiss" Reau (France) 34,4 points
- Bryan "Dirty Beaujolais" Antoine (Belgium) 34 points
- Vincent “Lord Scrat“ Roussel (France) 33,5 points
Audience favourite: Frederic "French Kiss" Reau (France)
This year the audience got to vote their favourite for the first time.
Photos and videos are available for media in media folder that is constantly updated. The photos from the final will be updated as soon as possible after the final has ended. The compilation video of the final will be available on Saturday 26th August, the latest at 12 PM. Photo credits: Roosa-Maria Kauppila/Oulu August Festivals. Video credits: Air Guitar World Championships.
MEDIA FOLDER
The evening was full of life, colours and energy on Friday August 25, when the 26th Air Guitar World Championships World Final took place in Oulu, Finland.
The Final was held in Oulu Rotuaari Square, which was packed with an audience of thousands of people.
There were 18 finalists in total, including Thursday's Dark Horses and the National Champions. The competition was separated in two rounds, with eight competitors making it to the second round.
The Final was hosted by the esteemed Master of Airemonies, Dan “Björn Türoque” Crane and Finland's very own Jani Kortti. The jury included Juha Torvinen (famous finnish guitarist from band called Eppu Normaali), Hanna Ikonen (the event's producer from 2017 to 2022), Sami Ylisaari (Oulu's Director of Culture), Anne-Maria Mäkelä (project manager at the Oulu Cultural Foundation) and Viera Karem (Startup Program Manager at BusinessOulu and Vice Chairman of the Association of Ukrainians in Northern Ostrobothnia). At Air Guitar World Championships 2023 we also saw the Acrobatic duo Kat & Jared performing their sexiest and most rocking acrobatics that were the cherry on top of the Finale.
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The Air Guitar World Championships has been organized in Oulu since 1996. It has become an international media magnet of good mood, built on the foundation of captivating and avowed enthusiasts around the world.
Air guitar playing is not instrumental sports or arts, nor does it require any special venues or skills, so it is accessible to all. Air guitar can be grasped regardless of gender, age, ethnic background, sexual orientation and social status. Air guitar playing is equal. The purpose of the Air Guitar World Championships is to promote world peace - according to the competition ideology, wars will end, climate change will stop and all bad things will vanish when all the people in the world play the air guitar.
The Air Guitar World Championships is organized and held by Airnest Productions Oy.
The Air Guitar World Championships World Final 2023 performance order is out now. Here are the 18 finalists in their performing order. Last night's Dark Horse's will be performing first, followed by the National Champions and world champion 2022.
DARK HORSES
1. Apolline “Lady Attila” Andreys (France)
2. Luke “Slam Cabbage “Sevcik (USA)
3. Brian “Hennessy Williams” Williams (USA)
4. Corentin “Airgus” Fermont (Belgium)
5. Aapo “the Angus” Rautio (Finland)
6. Nicole "Little Old Me" Sevcik (USA)
7. Alexis “Princess Balboa” Essadki (France)
8. Vincent “Lord Scrat“ Roussel (France)
NATIONAL CHAMPIONS & World Champion
9. Gergely "Gregory" Szentesi (Ireland)
10. Linnea "Mistrex Linn" Minin (Sweden)
11. Lloyd "Stonehenge" Weema (Sealand)
12. Matt "AIRstotle" Burns (USA)
13. Bryan "Dirty Beaujolais" Antoine (Belgium)
14. Martin "Shorty" Rüthschilling (Germany)
15. William "Billy Damage" Denton (Australia)
16. Nanami "Seven Seas" Nagura (Japan)
17. Kirill "Guitarantula" Blumenkrats (World Champion 2022)
18. Frederic "French Kiss" Reau (France)
The World Final starts tonight 25th of August at 8 PM (EEST) @ Oulu Rotuaari Square. You can also watch the livestream on our webpage www.airguitarworldchampionships.com
This year the audience can vote their favourite. Voting starts AFTER the first round of the competition (at about 9.15 PM) at: https://link.webropol.com/s/agwc23
8 air guitarists made their way to tomorrow's Air Guitar World Championships Final. The Dark Horses' Qualifying Round was arranged at 45 Special today, Thursday 24th of August, and in total there were 23 Dark Horses competing. From the wild, hot and airockin' qualifying round we see...
CONTINUING CONTESTANTS
Corentin Fermont Airgus Belgium
Aapo Rautio The Angus Finland
Brian Williams Hennessy Williams USA
Apolline Andreys Lady Attila France
Alexis Essadki Princess Balboa France
Luke Sevcik Slam Cabbage USA
Vincent Roussel Lord Scrat France
This year also media got to choose its favourite. The media voted Nicole Sevcik, "Little Old Me" to the final.
The continuing contestants will face and challenge the official National Champions and the defending World Champion, Kirill “Guitarantula” Blumenkrants, in tomorrow's World Final.
The World Final is a celebration of love and peace
The Air Guitar World Championships Final will be held tomorrow, 25th of August in the Rotuaari Square, Oulu. The World Final starts at 08:00 PM and lasts approximately 2 hours. It will also be streamed live throughout our webpage!
The National Champions and Dark Horses will challenge the reigning World Champion, Kirill “Guitarantula” Blumenkrants. Only one of them can be the master of Air and leave the stage with the shiniest trophy. The winner will be awarded with a unique Flying Finn guitar, handmade by Matti Nevalainen.
The Final is hosted by the esteemed Master of Airemonies, Dan “Björn Türoque” Crane and Jani Kortti. The World Final offers performances of the world’s best air guitarists and a magnificent show with a free entry - welcome!
Air you ready for this years Air Guitar World Championships? We sure are and the chosen National Champions of 2023 are even more enthusiastic to compete and show off in Oulu on 25th of August! This years national champions come from Australia, Belgium, France, Germany, Ireland, Japan,
Sealand, Sweden and the United States. These eight contestants will challenge the current champion Kirill "Guitarantula" Blumenkrats at Rotuaari on an unforgettable finale for this years championships!
This year the stakes are even higher as we have three two time world champions fighting for their third title, old air guitarists returning to Oulu and even new nations who have their champions rocking for the title of World Champion!
FRANCE
Last years World Champion Kirill "Guitarantula" Blumenkrats returns to Oulu to defend his title! Being an Air Guitar World Champion also from the year 2015, he is one of the three contestants competing to be the first three time World Champion!
The double French National Champion Frederic "French Kiss" Reau returns to Oulu once again to compete for the title of World Champion! Placing second on the last years championships, he sure is fighting for the title this year!
AUSTRALIA
Hailing from Perth, the most isolated capital in the world! William "Billy Damage" Denton has rocked the air guitar for 17 years, but this is his first trip to Oulu! This Aussie legend will set the stage aflame!
BELGIUM
The Belgian man of mystery Bryan "Dirty Beaujolais" Antoine is travelling to Finland to try and snatch the victory to Belgium for the first time! It's been 11 years since he was in Finland the last time.
GERMANY
It's been 12 years since the last German World Champion - will Martin "Shorty" Rüthschilling change that? He is coming in with a thirst for victory and a devilish grin.
IRELAND
Gergely "Gregory" Szentesi often finds himself in random situations - like flying over to Finland to play air guitar in front of the whole world! He has been preparing for the world stage meticuosly, so we are in for a show.
JAPAN
Nanami "Seven Seas" Nagura returns to Oulu with two world championship titles under her belt, she sure is hungry for the legendary position of being the first air guitarist with three championships!
SEALAND
Lloyd "Stonehenge" Weema is no stranger to air guitar having experience over the years. This year he's the first National Champion of Sealand to compete in the Air Guitar World Final!
SWEDEN
A fresh breeze from the north! As Sweden National Champion to join the Air Guitar family, Linnea "Mistrex Linn" Minin from Kiruna, Sweden.
USA
Winning his FIFTH national title this year, the two time World Champion Matt "AIRstotle" Burns, returns to Oulu!
... But the final gets even more exciting as the Dark Horse Qualifying Roundis being held at 45 Special on 24th of August! Who will join the champions and compete for the world championship title?
Join us for the Airientation day in Pikisaari, Oulu on Wednesday 23rd of August 2023. During the day you get to attend Air Guitar workshops led by international Air Guitarists, a Drink & Draw lesson, and to explore Re:Formi demolition art building.
Registration for the Airientation day is now open! Sign up HERE by Tuesday 22nd of August.
Schedule:
12.00-14.00 Air Guitar workshops at Re:Formi art show building
Re:Formi is an old vocational school building set to be demolished at the end of this year. Building’s rooms, corridors and premises are now filled with installation art created by local and international artists.
Air Guitar workshops are led by:
- Justin “Nordic Thunder” Howard (USA)
- Lloyd “Stonehenge” Weema (UK)
- Nicole “Little Old Me” Sevcik (USA)
- Vincent “Lord Scrat” Roussel (France)
1st workshop 12.00–12.45 (All Air Guitarists will teach one workshop each)
2nd workshop 13.00–13.45 (Nordic Thunder and Stonehenge both teach a second workshop each)
14.00–14.30 Pikinen Poloku environmental art path (if the weather allows)
14.30–15.30 Drink & Draw -lesson at Mallassauna’s upstairs space. During the lesson, you and your partner will draw a portrait of one another. You won’t need any previous drawing experience, just use your imagination and creativity!
The attendance fee for the whole Airientation day is 15 €.
The Air Guitar World Championship Final 2023 is just around the corner, and the
members of National Air Guitar Network are choosing their champions as we speak.
The USA will choose its champion Saturday this week in Denver, and the world’s most
northern nationals are held on the 29th in Kiruna, when Sweden picks its first ever
official champion for the World Final.
In addition to Sweden, Ireland and Sealand have recently joined as members of the
National Air Guitar Network, and after a few years hiatus old members Belgium,
Germany and Japan are welcomed back to the competition.
Unless you happen to be your country’s National Air Guitar Champion, the only way to
the World Championship Final is through the Dark Horses Qualifications on Thursday
24th of August. As soon as the following day, the Dark Horses qualified on Thursday will
rise on the Rotuaari stage in Oulu, joined by the National Champions and last year’s
winner Kirill “Guitarantula” Blumenkrants, for the battle of the World Championship
title.
Everyone dreaming of becoming the next Air Guitar World Champion can still sign up
for the Dark Horses Qualifications by Friday the 14th of July, through this link.
The Air Guitar World Championships are held for the 26th time in Oulu,
Finland . For the first time ever, the competition took place in 1996,
and only years 2020-2021 had to be cancelled to due to Covid-19.
Kirill “Guitarantula” Blumenkrants (French) has been crowned as the new Air Guitar World Champion as he got the highest points in today’s World Final! French contestants were succesful this year: Frederic “French Kiss” Reau won the second place. The third place was shared between three air guitarists: Charles Kariuki “Slim” Ndung’u (Kenya), Alex “Jinja Assasin” Roberts (Australia) and Apolline “Lady Attila” Andreys (France).
The Air Guitar World Championships Final was held today, Friday 26 August in Rotuaari Square, Oulu, Finland with an audience of over 3500 people. The Final was also streamed online on the Air Guitar World Championships’ webpage and it reached thousands of people from all around the world.
There were 18 finalists in total, including Thursday’s Dark Horses and the National Champions. The competition was separated in two rounds, with eight competitors making it to the second round.
The Final was hosted by the esteemed Master of Airemonies, Justin “Nordic Thunder” Howard and Finland’s very own Jani Kortti.
TOP 8 OF THE AIR GUITAR WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS FINAL
1. Kirill Blumenkrants – Guitarantula (FRANCE) 35.2
2. Frederic Reau – French Kiss (FRANCE) 35.0
3. Shared third place:
Charles Kariuki Ndung’u – Slim (KENYA) 34.9
Alex Roberts – Jinja Assassin (AUSTRALIA) 34.9
Apolline Andreys – Lady Attila (FRANCE) 34.9
6. Rob Messel – The Marquis (USA) 34.6
7. Rachel Sinclair – Hot Mess (USA) 34.2
8. Miska Haakana – Pink Lighning (PEACE FLAG) 34.0
Press material
10 air guitarists made their way to tomorrow's Air Guitar World Championships Final. The Dark Horses' Qualifying Round was arranged at 45Special, on Thursday 25th of August, and in total there were 22 Dark Horses competing.
CONTINUING CONTESTANTS
Luke Sevic - ”Van Dammage”
Kirill Blumenkrants- ”Guitarantula”
Jacque Messel –”Jessie Spandex”
Dan Crane - “Björn Türoque”
Aapo Rautio – “The Angus”
Vincent Roussel – ”Lord Scrat”
Miska Haakana – ”Pink Lightning”
Lloyd Weema – ”Stonehenge”
Hilkka Haaga – ”Gore Kitty”
Tom Hill – ”Stg. Wrecker”
The continuing contestants will face and challenge the official National Champions and the defending World Champion, Rob "The Marquis" Messel, in tomorrow's World Final.
The World Final is a celebration of love and peace
The Air Guitar World Championships Final will be held 26th of August in the Rotuaari Square, Oulu. The World Final starts at 08:00 PM (UTC +3) and lasts approximately 2 hours. It will also be streamed live on www.airguitarworldchampionships.com.
The National Champions and Dark Horses will challenge the reigning World Champion, Rob "The Marquis" Messel (US). Only one of them can be the master of Air and leave the stage with the shiniest trophy. The winner will be awarded with unique Flying Finn guitar, handmade by Matti Nevalainen.
The Final is hosted by the esteemed Master of Airemonies, Justin "Nordic Thunder" Howard. The World Final offers performances of the world’s best air guitarists and a magnificent show with a free entry - welcome!
A unique kayaking trip that you can experience only in Oulu on the Air Guitar World Championships week, Wed 24 August at 2-5pm. Come and paddle in the beautiful Oulujoki river delta with air guitar contestants from all over the world. Guaranteed fun, laughter and air guitar stories – rain or shine! Along the way, you will also get to dive into the roots of Karelian culture through folk musician Emmi Kuittinen’s lament singing performance in the nature.
The three-hour trip starts from Linnansaari island (at Lappis waterpark), goes around the islands by the shore and returns to the starting point. The trip is great for first-timers but it's certainly a new kind of experience for more experienced paddlers as well. The host of the afternoon, Air Guitar Champion of Champions Justin "Nordic Thunder" Howard, will keep up the Airy atmosphere together with other air guitarists.
Price for trip is €50 / person, including paddling equipment, the services of a guide throughout the trip, and the lament singing performance.
Tickets can be bought at Lappis' website at this site.
The trip is part of the air guitarists’ Airientation day. See the programme of the Air Guitar World Championships at this site.
More info:
laura@oulunjuhlaviikot.fi
+358413135341
Rock will fill Rotuaari Square at the end of August, but not a single actual guitar can be seen on the stage. Air guitar playing is not instrumental sports or arts, nor does it require any special skills. The Air Guitar World Championships offer everyone an equal opportunity to enjoy music, performing and togetherness.
The Air Guitar World Championships, whose main agenda is to promote world peace, will once again bring international air guitarists from all over the world to Oulu. Peaceful gunpowder has been tooted into the atmosphere for over 20 years. The battle, which once even raised heated discussion, has now become an international media magnet of good mood.
"The styles of the performers are very personal. You can expect humour, skill, and, above all, joy of doing. World peace and people's connection to each other is a strong part of Air Guitar’s philosophy, and the spirit of the events is in line with that," describes Anna-Kaisa Kettunen, the producer of Airnest Productions, which organizes the event.
From a Dark Horse to a World Champion
This year, the competition will be held on 24–26 August. Although everything culminates in the world championships final on Friday, the Air Guitar week is full of all kinds of other great things.
On Tuesday, it is possible to immerse yourself in the world of air guitar for free by watching a film about air guitar in Oulu's rock mecca 45 Special. On Wednesday, air guitarists will set foot in Oulu in the form of the Airientation orientation day. On Thursday, Justin "Nordic Thunder" Howard, who hosts the entire competition, will host the Carte Blanche music video screenig he curated for the Oulu Music Video Festival happening in Oulu that week. The legendary Dark Horse Qualifying Round will also take place on Thursday.
The Qualifying Round is one way to the finals. The champions of the participating countries get to the finals automatically, but final places are given to other brave guitarists through qualifying. A place in the final can therefore be obtained by a so-called dark horse, a competitor coming from around the corner, who has the opportunity to win the entire competition.
The Dark Horse Qualifying Round at the bar 45 Special is a spectacle that you don’t want to miss. There will be sweaty and tight struggles, spectacular air guitar performances, great atmosphere and superb team spirit. Come and enjoy the show, and most of all: make air, not war!