In the moments after they won A Dal — Hungary’s national selection for Eurovision 2018 — the members of AWS struggled to speak.
“We are really happy right now and we can’t say a word,” the drummer Aaron told us inside the MTVA studios. They didn’t expect to win, he admitted, and the enormity of it all was clearly still sinking in.
And while he may have been at a loss for what to say, Hungary’s earlier Eurovision stars were not. They had plenty of words for the post-hardcore band, and we’ve compiled their thoughts below.
Last year’s entrant Joci Pápai performed his Eurovision entry “Origo” as an interval act during the show.
He was really amazed by the group’s performance, which featured plenty of lights and fire.
“Congratulations to the guys!” the Romani star wrote on his Facebook page. “They rock hard!”
Everyone’s favourite hipster boy ByeAlex shared his rather short and frank reaction on social media, too.
He suggested that the competition hasn’t been of much interest recently, and that AWS breathed new life into the apparently tired format.
“I’ve not followed A Dal for years now… but this time I rooted really hard for AWS… Congrats, guys.”
András Kállay-Saunders didn’t react to the final — and that may have been because he was still fuming that his favourite Ceasefire X didn’t make the final.
On February 18 he took to Facebook to congratulation all those acts advancing in the contest…but expressed his dismay that “one of the best men’s voices in Hungary” didn’t make it through. “This is unbelievable,” he wrote.
AWS on AWS
In our interview the group made it clear that they’re all about the live performances.
“We don’t want to be a show band — we want to be a concert band like we are,” the lead singer Örs says.
At the moment they’re touring the country with two rock bands and plan to finish their tour despite their upcoming Eurovision commitments. They’re also planning a gig in London, so stay tuned. And if you do you might just hear guitarist Bence doing his best impression of Alvin from the Chipmunks.
They’re surprise at their success remains part of their charm, and they haven’t yet adopted the diva-like qualities you may have expected. After winning the second semi-final of A Dal, the group told us they just wanted a beer.
“We didn’t expect that we would have that many points from our fans or anybody, so we’re happy about it,” Aaron said.
Do you like the Hungarian entry? Where is it in your tops list? Tell us in the comments box below!
Go Go AWS’Viszlát nyár’
I really liked the song, I did not expect this in ESC. I think the will do great performance and this song definetly deserves to qualify for the final!
Rooting from Spain!
I don’t mind the song. It will be interesting to see how it goes. I will not be surprised if it flops.
12 points from Cydonia. Rock is not dead, it just went soft
Dear AWS, you have all my 20 votes in grand final. You are brave and you make Eurovision better. Ireland should inspire by you. They were afraid to send big punk legend in Lisbon =/
Top 3
Nothing says it harder than the silence from András Kállay-Saunders. Ugh. 🙁
I love AWS and their song this year, and I also love Kállay-Saunders’ vocals and his work. Let’s break the silence and build bridges (just without the cliché).
Not the music I listen to. It sounds like a noise to me, but I give them credit for doing their thing! They bring sth different to the contest.
I just want to see them winning Eurovision…. I know it won’t happen, so my Goal for them is to qualify. This is my 1st place of the entire Season and I know that NOTHING will beat AWS. I’m going to spend so much Money voting for them… Ugh.
We can’t predict the winner at this stage. I would totally like to seem them win but given the fact that the last winner that I liked was the one from 2007, I’m not that hopeful, either.
I want Hungary to win as well, but I don’t believe it’s gonna happen either. But at least we can all play a part in putting them in the Grand Final. AWS is exactly what this contest was needing in 2018. Sick and tired of schlager & screaming diva ballads.
I’m so happy that Germany was drawn to vote in semi 2, so that I can Support them. Our Jury already expressed their odd taste in Music by giving 10 Points to Georgia in the semi final and 8 in the final… Sure, Georgia wasn’t that similar to AWS´, but it also was something really odd. I believe in Germany’s Jury and People ^^
(I was talking about Georgia 2016 obviously)
Don’t forget how you guys gave 12 points to Hungary in 2013. Although your spokesperson thought the country was “Lovely Hungry”, if I recall correctly.
Yes! All the signs are pointing towards Germany giving AWS 12 Points, if we believe in it enough it’ll definitly happen.
András is a true Eurovision fan – salty that their favourite didn’t qualify.
This is exorcism, not music…. Big flop, Hungary!
You are not able to understand art. This is ART!
What’s not to like about a good exorcism? 😛
Exorcism on stage? This horror movie fan approves, ha ha ha 😀
Good, I like exorcisms! 12 points to Hungary!
They are the best ! Big chance to win!
?????
Great interviews, thank you!:) Go, AWS!
Last place on the semi-final garanteed.
Hahaha…never 😉 You talk about Hungary!!!
I know it won’t happen but I would be SO happy if they won…
@Hsinaps same! Utterly awesome to see post hardcore at Eurovision. Definitely not everyone’s taste but this will go down as an all time fave for me
I know right? This is such a throwback to teenage years, I love it <3
It seems EBU has sent a message to Hungary demanding them to stop humiliating other nations with their amazing entries and selections. <3
AWS is just a breath of fresh air in ESC! So good!
For me this is the best song / performance so far , so big congrats from me to hungarian ppl.
It don’t listen to that genre like, ever, but to me, this is probably the best entry that Hungary has sent in, like, ever. It just love their approach, just doing their own thing as a band. I couldn’t agree more, “show bands” are just pathetic and clearly, they are the opposite of that.
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