It’s the national final known for always getting Hungary into the grand final at Eurovision. Hungarian broadcaster MTVA has today confirmed that around 350 entries have been received for A Dal 2018. Now it’s up to the selection committee to decide which acts will make it to the live shows.
Entries for A Dal 2018 closed on Monday and already the broadcaster is busy sorting through their selection for 2018.
From the 350 entries, less than 10% will make it to the live shows. Thirty entries will be selected to compete in the A Dal semi-finals. The lucky 30 will be revealed in early December — not long to wait!
The selection this year will involve songs from many different genres, from both established artists and newcomers. However, the A Dal 2018 rules mean that only experienced artists can apply. Artists must have previously released recordings — or television appearances — and must be signed to a record label or professional music manager.
The A Dal 2018 live shows begin on 20 January 2018, with heats, followed by two semi-finals. The grand final will take place on 24 February. And it’s there that Hungary’s song for Lisbon will be decided.
Hungary at Eurovision
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” place fifth in 2014, and Joci Pápai, who earlier this year placed eighth with the mysterious “Origo”.
In other years, Hungary hasn’t earned such strong results. Boggie’s subdued peace song “Wars for Nothing” managed only 20th place in 2015. A year later, Freddie’s “Pioneer” — which was criticised for cheesy staging — did marginally better in 19th place.
However, as Hungarian media have today noted, winning A Dal can give a huge boost to a performer’s career in Hungary. Joci Papai has been enjoying many local successes since his top-ten placing at Eurovision.
What do you think? Who would you like to see in A Dal 2018? Who should represent Hungary in Lisbon? Have your say below!
ESC changes every year. One thing stays the same every year: The high standard of the A Dal entries 🙂
A Dal 2017 was the first time I watched ALL of it, from the heats until the final announcement.
I hope Gabi tries again. I’m betting András and his band will go for it once more.
I agree 🙂
That was an answer to blondboybc btw. popping up here in it’s own mysterious ways 🙂
”only experienced artists can apply. Artists must have previously released recordings — or television appearances — and must be signed to a record label or professional music manager”
Countries ask that, when they need the artist to come with MONEY.
Otherwise why would they care about the artist’s past, if he/she is natural on stage.
Or….they do it to ensure the singers are professional. That’s how I see it at least. I like that actually
It’s because their management is expected to pay for everything.
I actually think the Hungarian jury did a good job in selecting right songs and you guys are being unfair. Most of you were upset when Origo was chosen, and it came friggin 8th in esc. Actually, they qualified 6 7 years in a row, with 3 top 10 finishes, a commendable achievement. I think their formula works. They just need that special song to win, and it will come sooner or later.
wonder if andras is coming back again this year with some new hipster style of this year (as well as a new hairdo) #swag
Always has great performers and great songs. Now if only they could do something about the judges and their maverick, public-ignoring approach to point giving!
How about making the jury just consultative with no more powers than merely saving a contestant like in Latvia?
Aye! Who thought it was a good idea to put their strongest contender (Gabi Tóth) first in the finals singing order? That was definitely an invitation to the ground under the bus. Fortunately the people chose their second-strongest in the super-final, and he delivered big-time in Kyiv.
Budapest 2019 or 2020. Make it happen!
About selecting only established names, I think it’s the right decision. Eurovision is much more about representing the country rather than promote yourself. For newcomers, it’s not The Voice or X Factor, something that is happening in many countries as we can see.
A Dal: consistently one of my favourite national finals! Hoping for good things this year from Hungary! 🙂