Hungary – Join us tonight at 19:40 CET for our LIVE rolling blog of the first Semi Final of A-Dal 2016.

9 acts will compete for a place in the Grand final two weeks tonight. . You can watch the show live here at 19:40 CET and just refresh our page here to get the views, comments and strangely unique points of view from Phil Colclough of OnEurope who whilst a bit jaded is still up for the semi final!!!

The 9 Acts Tonight 

• Reni Tolvai – Fire
• Petruska – Trouble in my mind
• Szilvia Agárdi – It is love 
• B The First – You told me that you loved me 
• Gergo Oláh – Gyoz a jó  
• Benji – Kötéltánc
• Kállay Saunders Band – Who we are  
• Karmapolis & Böbe Szécsi – Hold on to
• Mushu – Uncle Tom

The results will be a combination of a Jury and Audience Vote where 3 entries will progress to the Semi Finals. The a fourth  act will be solely picked by the televote from the non qualifiers.

So sit back and get ready for Lord Phil to give you his spin on tonight’s Hungarian first semi of A-Dal 2016 – JUST REFRESH THE PAGE for the upto date comments – at your own risk!

ROLLING BLOG

Well Duna TV Did it to me again, they managed to change the draw at the last minute, but I just about forgive them as we are THREE weeks away from finally ending this.  I’ve got a MASSIVE glass of Bailey’s so this could be somewhat interesting!!

• Reni Tolvai – Fire

Ah yes, I remember this now, its the woman with half a top and the American Footballers gyrating around her! – I didn’t much like it the first time round closing the show, but now its opening it, I like it even less.  She has the paparizou about her only without the talent and those Gridiron-ist’s are somewhat annoying!!  The song is as well because there only seems to be one set of lyrics.  I’ve got very little hope for this.

Jury Scores : 7-5-9-7-5.  Total 33 Points.

• Petruska – Trouble in my mind

There are too many words in this for me and Petruska.  he seems to be singing a song with loads and loads of work which makes it a touch too complicated for me.  It’s no more than an album track in my head but they “audience” seems to like it which is the main thing.  Lots of Guitar and fiddle here though.

Jury Scores : 9-9-9-9-7.  43 Points!! ( Well I got that wrong! – This could be a contender with that score!)

• Szilvia Agárdi – It is love 

Shots of the jury dancing along in this one which is a bit of a problem for those of us that think its average.  She is clearly blind but Europe aren’t as there are lots of dancing  behind her, possibly to take the focus off here which is a really good idea.  The song is very ballad-y with a schlager key change but, like the other two in my opinion, it’s very ordinary.

Jury Scores : 8-8-8-8-7 – 39 Points.

Quick break in the studio – time to recharge your glasses.   The Jury seem to be marking higher tonight than they have in the previous three weeks….

• B The First – You told me that you loved me 

Apparently I told him that he loved me, but I didn’t tell him that he reminds me of someone I used to work with!! – Song wise, however, again it suffers from too many words and a try hard vibe. The 1950’s sound isn’t really coming off here and this is the weakest of the 4 so far in my opinion,  They think they are being “cool”, but they are just being a bad rockabilly group singing a dodgy song.   All he needs is a medallion and he has the look.  They are weaker than the sum of their parts, sadly.

Jury Scores. 8-8-6-7-6.  35 Points.

• Gergo Oláh – Gyoz a jó  

Another solo singer in this field at Song number 5.  For those of you reading, the Bailey’s has almost gone!!

However, back to the songs.  this is performed better than in it’s heat.  If you remember, this is the ethnic song with the modern drum and base overtones.  there is a fiddler on stage and the SAND from the previous round is also back….He does indeed dance in front of the sand as as my Hungarian is not good, I don’t get the significance but it looks good overall.  This is the best complete package of the night so far and, with any luck, should sail to the final.

Jury Scores –  9-7-10-9-7.  42 points….and rightly so!

• Benji – Kötéltánc

Four songs left and possibly the best ballad in the contest with Benji.  He sings a ballad in an Autumn breeze and clearly emotes this ballad to the public but I just think that it lacks something in the delivery and I dont know what it is.  I *think* he doesn’t look like how he should do when he’s singing this…. but i’m not sure.   It’ll have to score highly to get through, but I can’t see it with the next 3 songs.

Jury Scores : 7-7-6-7-6.  33 Points.

• Kállay Saunders Band – Who we are  

If there is anything like a sure fire certainty in this contest, Its that Kallay will get to the final with a massive score.  I even think he’ll beat his 41 in the Quarter Final.  It has “band” in the title, but he and his neon tats are carrying this song.  Kallay’s self appointment has seen him start this song on a throne on the back of the stage.  This is the one out of this 9, and possibly the 18 semi finalists, that has a name and some substance.  I think he appeals to all audiences, the song is down and dirty and urban and nothing like a schlager song and that is it’s charm.  I think, no I KNOW this will qualify and this could well win the whole thing.  Expect a 10 in the jury.

Jury Scores : 9-8-9-7-8. 41 Points…..

• Karmapolis & Böbe Szécsi – Hold on to

From those long suffering people of this blog, and OnEurope, you’ll remember that this is Aquarium woman.  She seems to be singing in an aquarium with a massive fish behind her…. very…. different if nothing else.   The song, however, is understated but does not have much to keep you on the edge of your seat other than the visuals I am afraid.

Scores : 8-7-7-7-6. 35 Points.

• Mushu – Uncle Tom

Last but by no means least we have Mushu with Uncle Tom, they need 41 points to qualify ( and that will be a surprise).  It’s a strong song though and stands a chance, but I think it’s more performance than song to be honest with yer lead man ( presumably Mush – or You) still preaching to let his people go…  It’s all very busy on stage as well with lots going on and people all over the place with lots of marching and effects.  I don’t THINK it’s going to score 41….

Jury Scores : 8-7-8-9-7.  39 Points

The Televoting qualifier will be revealed at about 2150 CET so I’ll update with that

The Televoting qualifier is :  MUSHU!!!

Thanks to everyone who has tuned in, if I can dose myself up to make me watch this again, I’ll be back next week for the 2nd Semi Final!!!

#MagicMic Award

Oh yes, the Magic Mic award.  I can’t win for staying semi sober through this…. plethora of popular song so I have to give it to one of the artistes.  I think it will have to be Gergo Oláh for his amazing performance.  Best of the night!

RESULTS

• Reni Tolvai – Fire – 33 Points
• Petruska – Trouble in my mind – 43 Points (Q)
• Szilvia Agárdi – It is love – 39 Points
• B The First – You told me that you loved me – 35 Points
• Gergo Oláh – Gyoz a jó  – 42 Points (Q)
• Benji – Kötéltánc – 33 Points
• Kállay Saunders Band – Who we are – 41 points  (Q)
• Karmapolis & Böbe Szécsi – Hold on to – 35 Points
• Mushu – Uncle Tom – 39 Points (Televoting)

So long until we meet again! – Phil