UK Air Guitar Championships, Islington Academy, 1 September 2006

Wild Thing 37 tuned his guitar dexterously with worn black varnished nails. The 18 year-old’s gaze seemed unnaturally aged and menacing.

Quite the showman, wearing pink florescent sweatband, gloves and tights, he ebulliently revolved his arm to strum as he slid onto his knees to cover the powerful guitar-riff led Muse track Invincible. He collapsed with exhaustion onto the stage floor at the climax of the song.

His striking performance conjured up memories of Spinal Tap, except for the fact he had no pedals, effects, backing members, amp, or in fact guitar.

He was one of twenty plus air guitarists battling it out at the UK Air Guitar Championships which were held at the Carling Islington Academy.

For decades many of the UK’s finest air guitarists have reserved their performances for alcohol-fuelled late night indie discos stretching the country.

This is the first year a UK winner will be sent to represent their country at the Air Guitar World Championships in Finland.

The judging panel, which included retired two times world champion Zac ‘Magnet’ Monroe, assessed the competitors based upon criteria including originality, stage charisma, technical ability and airiness.

Following two gruelling rounds, Wild Thing 37 was one of three finalists who had to spontaneously play air guitar to an unprepared track.

An Arctic Monkeys song was chosen and Wild Thing 37 recognised it instantly, singing along to the words and kicking the air just to warm up.

Count Rockula, the first finalist to perform, entered the stage exuding gusto as he high-fived his supporters. Beneath his black robe, he sported lycra cycling shorts and vest with chest hair clearly on display.

But despite a vigorous stage performance, he seemed to forget that he was meant to be pretending to play the guitar.

The handle bar moustached Hoxton Reaper was second up, donning white linen trousers and vest. He was eulogised by newly found screaming female fans at the front of the crowd.

Performing with confidence, he confirmed to the judges that he actually knew how to play a real guitar.

Wild Thing 37’s performance was filled with vehemence. He certainly believed in the music but could have connected better with the crowd. He was narrowly defeated by the Reaper, who was dragged into the crowd preceding a stage invasion.

So did the chintzy contestants deserve centre stage or were they an insult to artists who have spent years perfecting guitar prowess? Well, the tumultuous crowd seemed to be in full support and thousands of pounds were raised for the Teenage Cancer Trust.