Hungary’s national selection A Dal kicked off tonight, with six acts qualifying for the semi-finals. Leander Kills, Zsolt Süle, Viktor Király, Ceasefire X, Gabi Knoll and Tamás Vastag will be heading to the semi-finals in February.

The first five qualifiers were determined by a combination of televote and an expert jury made up of actress Judit Schell, Magna Cum Laude lead singer Misi Mezo, award-winning musician Miklós Both and the music legend Károly Frenreisz.

This vote was tied in first place by Leander Kills and Zsolt Süle who each scored 44 points. Next was The Voice USA star Viktor Király, who followed closely with 43 points. Király was also the public favourite and topped the televote.

In fourth place was Ceasefire X who scored 41 points, followed by Gabi Knoll in fifth place with 40 points.

The sixth qualifier was selected by a second round of public voting. The public didn’t agree with the results of the first round — the sixth spot went to Tamás Vastag who had previously placed seventh-equal in the first round.

The qualification of Zsolt Süle came as a surprise to some viewers. Going into the episode, he was not considered a favourite, however his gentle song “Zöld a május” drew favourable comparisons to “Amar pelos dois”. It was the combined favourite of the jury, but also made the televote top six.

The qualifiers will go on to compete in the semi-finals, which start in early February. They’ll be joined by the qualifiers from the other two heats, which will take place in coming weeks.

A Dal 2018 – heat 1 qualifiers

  1. Leander Kills – “Nem szól harang” (44 points)
  2. Zsolt Süle – “Zöld a május” (44 points)
  3. Viktor Király – “Budapest Girl” (43 points)
  4. Ceasefire X – “Satellites” (41 points)
  5. Gabi Knoll – “Nobody to Die For” (40 points)
  6. Tamás Vastag – “Ne hagyj reményt” (36 points)

A Dal 2018 – heat 1 eliminated acts

  • Noémo – “Levegot!” (39 points)
  • Living Room – “Kirakat élet” (36 points)
  • Fourtissimo feat. Markanera – “Kisnyuszi a kalapban” (33 points)
  • Patikadomb – “Jó szelet!” (33 points)

Wiwibloggs readers didn’t agree with all of Hungary’s favourite We asked wiwibloggs readers who their favourite acts in A Dal 2018 were. Of the acts competing in the first semi-final, Gabi Knoll was the favourite. Viktor Király was second favourite, followed by Ceasefire X and Leander Kills. Wiwi readers were less impressed with Tamás Vastag and Zsolt Süle, who languished near the bottom of the poll results.

  1. Gabi Knoll – “Nobody to Die For” 6.28% (118 votes)
  2. Noémo – “Levegot!” 5.96% (112 votes)
  3. Fourtissimo – “Kisnyuszi a kalapban” 3.78% (71 votes)
  4. Viktor Király – “Budapest Girl” 3.3% (62 votes)
  5. Ceasefire X – “Satellites” 2.87% (54 votes)
  6. Leander Kills – “Nem szól harang” 2.87% (54 votes)
  7. Living Room – “Kirakat élet” 1.81% (34 votes)
  8. Tamás Vastag – “Ne hagyj reményt” 1.12% (21 votes)
  9. Zsolt Süle – “Zöld a május” 1.06% (20 votes)
  10. Patikadomb – “Jó szelet!” 0.96% (18 votes)

Since the launch of A Dal in 2012, the show’s winners have consistently qualified for the Eurovision grand final. The most successful entries have been ByeAlex, whose sweet hipster ballad “Kedvesem (Zoohacker Remix)” placed 10th in 2013, András Kállay-Saunders, whose edgy dubstep exploration of domestic violence “Running” placed fifth in 2014, and Joci Pápai whose mysterious “Origo” placed eight last year.

What do you think? Is there a potential A Dal winner amongst these acts? Share your thoughts below!

READ MORE HUNGARY EUROVISION NEWS

23 Comments
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AngieP
AngieP
6 years ago

I really liked “Budapest” girl in this heat!
Also “Nobody to die for” seems strong, but the studio version was stronger than the live performance I believe.

Zebb
Zebb
6 years ago

oh no… Levegot my fav, so close!
But what a visual disaster! The outfit was doing a Kralji? 2016 effect, I felt here it has turned into perfume bottle. The hairstyle was… wasn’t matching, let’s keep it calm. After Sobral’s enchanting forest the panno behind albeit fitting concept – didn’t convince me too (being triggered though).
#AvengeThisAnyone

Zolipop
Zolipop
6 years ago

The jury was so messy, here are some examples: •Tamás Vastag having the lyrics in the background is like he’s performing in a Village Day (I think it really isn’t), but for Viktor Király, as he’s singing about Budapest (or Budapet as he pronounces), is very modern and fresh (I got rather 50’s 80’s feeling by that staging tbh) •Noémo should be rewarded for they are singing about something unusual and not just love, Viktor Király is superb for singing about nothing else but ‘honestly’ about love (although I bet the jury had no idea what the song is about,… Read more »

Héctor
Héctor
6 years ago

I don’t like any songs from this SF.

Jo
Jo
6 years ago

Some of these qualifiers are pretty bad. I guess they went through just because of their fame.

Hunter Doerksen
Hunter Doerksen
6 years ago

Ah too bad, Kirakat elet was one of three I liked. AWS or yesyes I guess…

brennan
brennan
6 years ago

i love levegot but noemo suckeddddd
you can’t wear a projection dress and just display a static image on it for three minutes, it wasn’t good

Colin
Colin
6 years ago
Reply to  brennan

Levegot was my favorite from their official video, but I doubt it would be if I saw them tonight for the first time. It was very static. I guess she was emulating a tree, but then at least projections should have changed (for seasons of the year, for example) and someone else should have been active on stage. She could have had two dancers, like the old man and young woman from the video. The lyrics are lovely, though, and she sings nicely, but the performance was too stiff to work. I was still hoping she would get a televote… Read more »

Zebb
Zebb
6 years ago
Reply to  Colin

Yeah the whole act looked tragic. Such a crime for this pure song.

Nikos
Nikos
6 years ago

I know I am rock biased, but I think it’s fair to have at least one rock song each year [ 🙂 ] and I would be super happy for Leander Kills to be in Lisbon! Plus it’s even in Hungarian!

Colin
Colin
6 years ago
Reply to  Nikos

We already have one rock song – Mall from Albania. Hungary has a few good rock songs, though. AWS and Leander Kills for instance.

Weißbrot
Weißbrot
6 years ago
Reply to  Colin

….For me as a rock/metal fan, I don’t really see the rock in ”Mall”. Not at all tbh.

AB
AB
6 years ago

Leander Killed It.

Colin
Colin
6 years ago

Levegot was my favorite. Can’t believe it’s out 🙁 Leander Kills were really good, though. Zold a majus was a pleasant surprise and I am glad it was positively received.

desfolhada
desfolhada
6 years ago

Zsolt Süle – “Zöld a május” is a beautiful song my heart is warm, the guitar sounds reminds me Brazil.

Briekimchi
Briekimchi
6 years ago

On a positive, Zsolt’s song was so good! Definitely was getting some French musical theatre vibes.

Weißbrot
Weißbrot
6 years ago

Aaaaw… I wanted Living Room and Patikadomb to go through :// Now 2 out of my top 3 of the first heat are out ….At least Leander kills made it, they were my 1st tonight ^^ Now I’m rooting for ”Meggyfa” and ”Viszlat Nyar” for the next finals

Briekimchi
Briekimchi
6 years ago

Oh no, Noémo!
Just like last year, I lose one of my favourites in the heats. T__T And when is Pál Benjámin finally going to have some luck?

bulgariastan
bulgariastan
6 years ago

The one time i agree with the jury instead of the televote, so glad Gabi is through!

bulgariastan
bulgariastan
6 years ago
Reply to  bulgariastan

Gabi did sound sick, however.

M_K
M_K
6 years ago

This must be the worst result in any Eurovision national semi final/heat I’ve ever witnessed. My top three were eliminated whereas my bottom three all made it to the next round. Can’t believe it.

M_K
M_K
6 years ago
Reply to  M_K

“Kirakat élet” (1), “Levegot” (2) and “Kisnyuszi a kalapban” (3) were my three favourite songs.

My bottom three songs were “Nobody to Die For” (8), “Budapest Girl” (9) and “Satellites” (10).

:S

Qoo
Qoo
6 years ago
Reply to  M_K

omg + 1 me too
My sf1 favorite song were Fourtissimo feat. Markanera – “Kisnyuszi a kalapban” Living Room – “Kirakat élet” . Noémo – “Levegot .