UK Air Guitar Championship Rocks Back to Life with Silly, Joyful Vibes

Piers Burnell, a passionate air guitarist from Henley-on-Thames, is on a mission to revive the UK Air Guitar Championships. Air guitar is a unique hobby where people pretend to play a guitar, often to their favorite rock songs, without actually holding an instrument. Piers has represented the UK at the World Air Guitar Championships in Finland, where he performed in creative costumes, including as James Bond and the Joker from Batman. He believes that air guitar is all about being silly, having fun, and letting go of your worries. According to Piers, for one minute, anyone can feel like the greatest rock star in the world, no matter their age or musical talent.

The UK Air Guitar Championships were first held in 2019, but the event was put on hold due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Now, Piers is determined to bring the competition back, with the finals scheduled to take place in London on June 27. He explained to BBC Radio Oxford that he was inspired by the famous line from the movie Field of Dreams: 'If you build it, they will come. ' Piers has secured the rights to organize the official UK championship and is excited to see who will join. He says that every time he goes to Finland, people ask when the UK will have its own championship again. Piers is confident that there are many people in the UK who would love to take part in this joyful and light-hearted event.

In addition to the main competition, Piers is also planning to start a junior air guitar contest for kids. He believes that air guitar is a great way for children to perform, build confidence, and have fun. Many kids already pretend to play guitar when they listen to music, and Piers wants to give them a chance to show off their skills on stage. He says that when kids do air guitar, they smile, interact with the audience, and grow more confident. For adults, the competition is a chance to escape from everyday life and enjoy being silly. Piers has even come up with a playful slogan for the event: 'Make air, not war. ' He hopes that the revived UK Air Guitar Championships will bring people together, spread happiness, and remind everyone of the joy of music and imagination.