Blog Archive

Airnadette, the biggest air band in the world, delighted the audience by visiting the Air Guitar World Championships in August. The French group did not only bring their amazing performance to the World Final stage, but also captured the whole event with their camera crew. Gunther Love (world champion 2009 & 2010), Moche Pitt (first runner-up 2007), M-Rodz (first runner-up 2010), Château Brutal (19th runner-up in 2009), Scotch Brit and Jean-Françoise present the show with their expertise and crazy look on the most massive Air Guitar carnival of the year.

As a result, the airheads of France will be treated with the documentary Air Guitar World Championships by Airnadette this Tuesday. The show will be aired on Canal+ on Tuesday 23rd October at 10.50 p.m. 

After a month of his unforgettable trip to Oulu, Nordic Thunder shares his thoughts on being a World Champion. Get prepared to go as Nordic as ever! 

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"It’s been a month since we were all together shredding in the crisp Oulu air, and not a day has gone by that I haven’t thought of you all. Returning home and to “normal life” after spending a week with you all wasn’t easy, but at least we have next year to look forward to!"

American Justin “Nordic Thunder” Howard convinced both judges and the audience at the 17th Air Guitar World Championships final at Rotuaari Square in Oulu, Northern Finland on Friday 24 August. Second time was the charm for Nordic Thunder who competed at the world final as US Champion in 2011, and got through to the final this year from the Dark Horses Qualifying Round that was battled on Thursday 23 August in Oulu. Nordic Thunder’s countryman Matt “Airistotle” Burns scored the second, and the third place was taken over by Theun "Tremelo Theun" de Jong form The Netherlands.

The results of the Air Guitar World Championships Final 2012:

1. Justin "Nordic Thunder" Howard, 34,6 (US)
2. Matt "Airistotle" Burns, 34,4 (US)
3. Theun "Tremelo Theun" de Jong, 34,3 (NL)
4. Andro "The Void" Urb, 34,2 (EE)
5. Jaakko "The Colossal" Härkönen, 33,5 (FI)
6. Takehito "Choco Bat Ukai" Saito, 33,4 (JP)
7. Ephraim "The Fame Flame" Noer, 33,3 (DK)?
7. Veronika "Like Ever Gin" Müllerova, 33,3 (CZ)
7. Corentin "AirGus" Fermont, 33,3 (BE)
8. Aline "Devil's Niece" Westphal, 32,8 (DE)
9. Vincent "V-Snyder" Bekaert, 16,4 (FR)
9. Jonathan "Juan Nightstand" Morales 16,4 (UK)
10. Quinten "The Great PretendAir" Rutgers 16,3 (NL)
11. Jan "Geeky Gisbert" Fischer 16,2 (DE)
11. Marie "Moldy Peach" von Borstel 16,2 (DE)
11. Artem "Olympian" Chernov 16,2 (RU)
12. Raphaël "Willy Wantmore" Monnanteuil 16,1 (BE)
12. Bryan "Telerockbies" Antoine 16,1 (BE)

More info and photos coming up!

1. Raphael “Willy Wantmore” Monnanteuil (BE)
2. Corentin “AirGus” Fermont (BE)
3. Justin “Nordic Thunder” Howard (US)
4. Jan “Geeky Gisbert” Fischer (DE)
5. Theun “Tremelo Theun” de Jong (NL)
6. Marie “Moldy Peach” von Borstel (DE)
7. Veronika “Like Ever Gin” Mullerova (CZ)
8. Takehito “Choco Bat Ukai” Saito (JP)
9. Vincent “V-Snyder” Bekaert (FR) 
10.Andro “The Void” Urb (EE)
11. Bryan “Telerockbies” Antoine (BE)
12. Matt ”Airistotle” Burns (US)
13. Jonathan “Juan Nightstand” Morales (UK)
14. Aline “Devil's Niece” Westphal (DE)
15. Ephraim Hertel “The Fame Flame” Noer (DK)
16. Quinten “The Great PretendAir” Rutgers (NL)
17. Artem “Olympian” Chernov (RU)
18. Jaakko “The Colossal” Härkönen (FI)

Oh, the amount of Airness! The Dark Horses Qualfying round was battled at 45 Special on the World Final eve, and five masterful contestants from all around the world won their way to the airiest battle of the year. 

Dark Horses Qualifiying Round Top Five

1. Corentin "AirGus" Fermont (BE) 17,8
2. Theun "Tremolo Theun" de Jong (NL) 17,5
3. Jan "Geeky Gisbert" Fischer (DE) 17,4
4. Raphael "Willy Wantmore" Monnanteuil (BE) 17,3
4. Justin "Nordic Thunder" Howard (US) 17,3

More info and photos coming up soon!

 1. Seth Leibowitz
2. Kereel “Your Daddy” Blumenkranz
3. Clay “The Ranga Banga” Connolly
4. Frederic “Fred Hot Chilli Poppers” de Vincelles
5. Magic Cyclops
6. Merlin “Lester 'Lixx' Dickson” Schumacher
7. Katariina “Kat” Kynnös
8. Guy “The Bandit” Thompson
9. Thomas “Tommy String” Rossi
10. Gustav "Latino Loco" Andersen Salinas
11. Chelsie “Cannonball Mavin'” Jangord
12. Henna “Hennadrix” Hanhineva
13. Raphael “Willy Wantmore” Monnanteuil
14. Marko “Miss Ankee” Stjärnvall
15. Then “Tremelo Theun” de Jong
16. Jens “Dirt Devil” Weber
17. Vaatu “Angelair” Kalajoki
18. Mathias “Eric 'Nu' Matic” Mertens
19. Linse “The Viking Princess” Kessler
20. Doug “The Thunder” Stroock
21. Jan “Geeky Gisbert” Fischer
22. Corentin “AirGus” Fermont
23. Justin “Nordic Thunder” Howard

A YEAR OF AIR GUITAR

I had a lot of funny moments. I remember a little girl in the ice rink. As I went by
she said to her mother: “Take a look, Mommy! There is a vampire!” It made my
day!

THE CULTURE HISTORY OF AIR GUITAR
Do you know the name of the man who played the first verified air guitar ever?
Do you know which other air instrument was played 102 years before the first air
guitar?

It was in 2009 when I discovered a “Media Aesthetics and Air Guitar” course and
a workshop called “Playing Air Guitar” in the university calendar. I was anxious to
take part! For me as a huge fan of Rock music it seemed to be a really diversified
course.

Two guys named Alexander, and philosophical chat of air guitarring placed in summery Moscow.

Tonight, in the city of London, that the whole world is looking up to at the moment, the most glorious and suspensing athletic event will take its place.

The US Tour culminates in Denver this evening. The regional champs, successful Dark Horses and the defending champion, Justin "Nordic Thunder" Howard, will rise their airy axes and compete over the title of US Champion 2012. The final event takes place at Bluebird Theater starting at 8.30 p.m.

To keep yourself updated, follow the latest news at usairguitar.com.

DIFFERENT FACES OF AIR GUITAR

The most coolest thing in Air Guitar; is it men that wear make up?

The new air guitar champs from France, Germany and The Netherlands are revealed!

Middle Europe is aired up this weekend when the national finals will be held in both Germany and the Netherlands on Saturday 14 July. Both countries have a long and successful history in air guitar - the rest of the world is looking forward to see what the year 2012 brings along! 

Last weekend was mercyful and brought us, the Air Guitar Family, two new members!

Our beloved Russian correspondent Alexander 'Devilseducer' Gott starts his blog entries as the Air Guitarist of the Month!

Air Guitar World Championships is very delighted to tell that after a long and lonely year, our Japanese friends are back on airy track!

Air Guitar World Championships is proud to announce the wide global
audience the first confirmed national champions of 2012 for the Grand Final in
Oulu, Finland on Aug 24th:

AIR GUITAR IS A VESSEL

I’ve been competing professionally in air guitar for over half a decade now, and over the years I've talked a lot about air guitar.  It usually starts with describing what air guitar is, and more often than not you can tell in that moment where the conversation will go.  A person will either respond with some level of disgust and will non-verbally let you know that they could care less about what you have to say.  Or, you will see a burning curiosity in their eye. It's from that moment I can tell whether or not my efforts will be wasted on preaching the good word to this person, or if I am planting a seed into a potential life long fan of air guitar.

AIR GUITAR OFF THE STAGE

When I first started playing air guitar competitively, I entered because I wanted to
be the best at doing something ridiculous. Two-air guitar related surgeries and a
two-week tour of Finland later; I have discovered that air guitar is indeed ridiculous.

Attention Russians, Americans and Estonians: Lots of Airness happening in your countries in the following days!

Estonia
15-16 June: National Championships, Rabarock Festival 

www.meego.ee/ag.

Russia
Fri 15 June: Krasnoyarsk Qualifying Round 

www.airguitar.ru

The US:
Fri 15 June: Portland
Sat 16 June: Seattle

usairguitar.com

Hear ye, hear ye! To keep up the good airy spirit while waiting for national finals to bring new masters of air, AGWC launches The Air Guitarist of the Month blog. As the first air guitarist to share his thoughts about air guitarring, humanity and love and how are these things combined, is mr. June, Justin "Nordic Thunder" Howard, reigning US champion. AGWC office wishes all of you a pleasant and airy season!

THUNDER MOTHER

Without Moms, there would be no air guitarists.  In 2011 my Mom got witness her first air guitar competition.  After my regional performance, 2008 World Champion Hot Lixx Hulahan said to a sold out audience, “The only thing that would have made that better was if your Mom was here.  Oh wait, she is.  Ladies and gentlemen, Thunder Mother!” 

The AGWC enrolment is now open! The registration deadline is Wednesday 8 August 2012. You can sign up in the contest by filling out the Entry Form. Also check out the Air Guitar Rules and join the battle!

The Air Guitar Programme is published, see the details on the Programme site. The AGWC 2012 starts with the orientation party Airientation on Wednesday 22 August and Culminates in the grandest Grand Final on Friday 24 August. To book your spots at the parties, check out the accommodation info and the Air Guitar Travel Packages. It's guaranteed three days of nothing but airy madness, don't miss the jamboree! 

The Estonian Air Guitar Champion will be chosen at Rabarock Festival in Järvikandi on 15-16 June! Estonia offered us last year the 12th best Air Guitarist, when Andro "Range-Air Estoned" Urb nearly hit the top10, we're looking forward to see what the southern neighbour brings to Oulu this year!

More info at www.meego.ee/ag.

The 10th US Air Guitar Championships Tour travels accross the country again this summer! The tour will be hosted by Dan "Björn Türoque" Crane and starred by 2008 World Champion, Craig "Hot Lixx Hulahan" Billmeier. The national final will be held in Denver on 21 July. More info on tickets and contest sign up at www.usairguitar.com.

2012 REGIONAL COMPETIONS

June 15 Fri: Portland – Dante’s
June 16 Sat: Seattle – El Corozan
June 20 Wed: Philadelphia – Johnny Brenda’s
June 21 Thu: New York City – Bowery Ballroom
June 22 Fri: Boston – Brighton Music Hall
June 22 Fri: Kansas City – Beaumont Club
June 23 Sat: Washington DC – 9:30 Club
June 29 Fri: Chicago – Metro
June 30 Sat: Minneapolis – Cabooze
July 12 Thu: San Diego – Soda Bar
July 13 Fri: Los Angeles – Troubadour
July 14 Sat: San Francisco – The Independent

2012 US AIR GUITAR WILD CARD COMPETITION
July 19 Thu: Boulder, CO – [venue TBA]

2012 US AIR GUITAR NATIONAL FINALS
July 21 Sat: Denver, CO – Bluebird Theatre

Finland got its very own air guitar hero when Lauri "Puccini Vibré" Kallio took the trophy home at the Finnish Air Guitar Championships final in Oulu last Saturday. The hunt of the Finnish Champion covered altogether six cities, and the tour was starred by US Champion and AGWC first-runner-up 2012, Justin "Nordic Thunder" Howard. 

See the interview of Puccini Vibré and Nordic Thunder on Kaleva newspaper website. Lots of wise words included!

AGWC is happy announce that our beloved silver medalist from 2011, Nordic Thunder, is starring the Finnish Air Guitar Championships tour in April! Welcome home, Nordic, Finland is lucky to have you back!

AG Finland & the City of Oulu seeks the best Finnish Air Guitarists this month by visiting six cities: 

Belgians, those early birds of the AGWC Network, were the ones who started the Air Guitar season also in 2012. The first regional contest was held in Liege on 25 February, and this is how it looked like:

We greet the 21st century with joy!