Air guitar player gears up for world championships

Piers Burnell, a resident of Henley-on-Thames in Oxfordshire, is preparing for an exciting journey to the Air Guitar World Championships, which will be held in Oulu, Finland, from August 20 to 22. This annual event, now in its 29th year, brings together people from around the world who love to perform air guitar, which means pretending to play a guitar with lots of energy and style, but without a real instrument. Piers is proud to be the only UK representative at the competition this year, and he describes the experience as 'a chance to be the world's greatest rock star for one minute only. '

For his performance, Piers has chosen to play edited versions of three famous James Bond songs. These include John Barry's classic 007 theme, a Spanish version of Sheryl Crow's Tomorrow Never Dies, and Guns N' Roses's Live and Let Die, which was originally written by Paul McCartney and Wings. Piers works as a learning support assistant at a secondary school, and he often plays air guitar with his students. He believes that this activity is great for their confidence, as it allows them to express themselves and have fun without worrying about making mistakes. This year, Piers will be performing under the name James Bond Double Air Seven, dressing up in a suit to match the famous spy's style. He explains that playing air guitar is all about imagining a real guitar and letting yourself go with the music. 'You can't break it, you can't drop it,' he says, 'Everyone can play air guitar, it's just about being in the moment and enjoying the music. '

Last year, Piers also took part in the championships, performing under the name Sober Man. He is passionate about promoting an alcohol-free lifestyle and wants to show that people can enjoy unique and exciting experiences without needing to drink. When he first traveled to Finland for the event, he was nervous because he didn't know anyone in the air guitar community, but he quickly found that he loved being part of it. Piers is currently learning to play the blues harmonica and hopes to learn to play a real guitar in the future. He points out that many air guitarists also play real instruments, but air guitar gives them a chance to relax and have fun, since no one can hear if they make a mistake.

Piers is enthusiastic about getting his students involved in air guitar. He says that many of them appreciate the humor behind the activity, and it helps them build confidence. They can choose any song they want to perform, and there is no pressure because everyone is supportive and the music creates a positive atmosphere. The official motto of the Air Guitar World Championships is 'Make air, not war,' and Piers encourages his students to spread this message. He believes that playing air guitar is all about being present with the music and enjoying the moment. Piers enjoys dressing up as James Bond and posing for photos, sometimes with a fake gun and a big smile, to add to the fun.

The Air Guitar World Championships is a unique event that celebrates creativity, self-expression, and the joy of music. Piers is excited to represent the UK and hopes to inspire others to try air guitar and discover how much fun it can be. If you have a story that BBC Oxfordshire should cover, you can contact them through their website or follow their updates on social media. Air guitar is becoming more popular, and people like Piers are helping to make it a fun and inclusive activity for everyone. The motto 'Make air, not war' reflects the idea that music can bring people together and create positive experiences.