Saint John’s waterfront usually features musicians with actual instruments. This weekend, competitors brought only their imagination to the Area 506 Waterfront Container Village stage. The venue hosted the inaugural Air Guitar Canada East Coast Regional Qualifier on Saturday afternoon. Hundreds of people gathered to watch contestants rock out for a chance to compete on the national stage, as reported by CTV News.

Paul LaGace rocks his air guitar at the Air Guitar Canada East Coast Regional Qualifier in Saint John on Saturday, May 16, 2026. (Avery MacRae/CTV Atlantic)

Bringing Air Guitar to the Maritimes

Genevieve “The Phoenix” LeBlanc serves as co director for Air Guitar Canada and won the national championship in 2017. She notes the national contest has run since 2014. This event marks the first time a regional qualifier has taken place in the Maritimes. The winner of this Saint John qualifier flies to Toronto next weekend for the national championship. The top air guitarist there will represent Canada at the world championships in Finland later this summer.

What Makes a Champion

Judges score air guitarists on originality, artistic impression, accuracy, and the ability to let the music take over. The most important factor is “airness.” “It’s that little ‘je ne sais quoi’ quality that when you know it and see it, you know you’re looking at an air guitar champion,” LeBlanc says. She advises competitors to avoid playing tiny air guitars. You need to make your movements big, give the invisible instrument weight, and include a special signature move.

Hundreds of people stopped by Area 506 in Saint John on Saturday, May 16, 2026 to check out the air guitar competition. (Avery MacRae/CTV Atlantic)

Local Talent Takes the Stage

The event featured preregistered competitors and spontaneous participants who decided to jump on stage. Paul LaGace drove an hour and a half from Moncton to perform. He rocked out to AC/DC’s Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap. “This is awesome I couldn’t believe it,” LaGace says. Other competitors arrived in full character. A participant going by the alias “Moe” says air guitar has always been in his blood. He warned his competitors to give it their all or go to another town.

Kicking Off the Summer Season

The air guitar contest helped launch the opening weekend of the fifth season at the Area 506 Waterfront Container Village. Area 506 president Ray Gracewood finds it exciting to bring new events to the space. You will find a busy summer at the waterfront. Upcoming events include a four day music festival, waterfront concerts, and wrestling. “2026 is going to be our best year yet,” Gracewood says. He believes the venue will continue to grow if the weather stays as nice as it was this weekend.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the prize for winning the regional qualifier?

The winner receives a flight to Toronto to compete in the Air Guitar Canada national championship.

How do judges score air guitar performances?

Judges look for originality, artistic impression, accuracy, the ability to be taken over by the music, and a special quality called “airness.”

Where do the world championships take place?

The world championships happen in Finland later this summer.

What else is happening at Area 506 this summer?

The venue will host a four day music festival, a waterfront concert series, wrestling events, and more throughout its fifth season.