Edition 38

The thirty-eighth edition of the **Global Music Festival** took place at the Hiroshima Green Arena in Hiroshima, Japan. It was the third time the country hosted the contest, after Japan's third victory in the thirty-seventh edition with the song Suga Sweet performed by Faky - which scored a record breaking 368 points. This edition consisted of three semi-finals which were all launched on the 17 July 2018 and a grand final which took place from the 23 July 2018. All four of the shows in this edition were hosted by the girl band Faky (Lil' Fang, Mikako, Akina and Anna), the winners of the twenty-fourth edition and the thirty-seventh edition and current record holders for the highest score.

Fifty-seven countries participated in this edition of the contest. This edition saw the debut of Montenegro to the contest. Uzbekistan returned made its second appearance since they debuted in the fifteenth edition. Another six countries returned; Argentina, Azerbaijan, Dominican Republic, India, Monaco and Venezuela. On the other hand, twelve countries said goodbye to the contest and hopefully they will return in the future. These countries were as follows; Afghanistan, Estonia, FYR Macedonia, Georgia, Greece, Hungary, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Russia and San Marino.

The power six for this edition were Japan, Slovakia, France, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Malaysia and Barbados - these were the delegations that placed in the top six from the previous edition. Their placement in the power six means that they received an automatic place to perform in the final of this edition, while also being allowed to vote in one of the semi-finals in this edition.

 Slogan
 Venue
 Presenter(s)
 Participants
 Winner
 Jessica Mauboy - Then I Met You

## Participants

* Azerbaijan
* Dominican Republic
* India
* Monaco
* Uzbekistan
* Venezuela
* Estonia
* FYR Macedonia
* Georgia
* Greece
* Hungary
* File:Indonesian Flag.png Indonesia
* Kazakstan
* Portugal
* Puerto Rico
* Russia
* San Marino

## Pots for the Semi-Final Allocation Draw

The draw to determine the allocation of the participating countries into their respective semi-finals took place on the 16 July 2018. The fifty-one semi-finalists were allocated to five pots, based on the previous results of each participating country, calculated by the averages of the past results. Drawing from each pot helps to create an equal split of successful and not-so successful countries in each semi-final to give countries an equal chance of qualification.

Malta, Finland and Ireland were not included in the pots because the head of delegations for these countries are on the admin team and are in charge of the first, second and third semi-finals respectively; as a result, the countries were automatically assigned to another semi-final: Malta were assigned to semi-final three, and Finland were assigned to semi-final one, and Ireland were assigned to semi-final three.

Also, in the semi-final allocation draw the power six nations (Japan. Slovakia, France, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Malaysia and Barbados) were all drawn to vote in one of the respective semi-finals. Slovakia and Bosnia & Herzegovina were assigned to vote in the first semi-final, Japan and Malaysia were assigned to vote in the second semi-final, and France and Barbados were assigned to vote in the third semi-final.

## Semi Final One

 Slovakia and  Bosnia & Herzegovina from the power six were randomly allocated to vote in this semi-final, as well as, the countries who participated in this semi-final - as always countries not in this semi-final had the choice whether they wanted to vote in this semi-final or not.  Finland were automatically assigned to this semi-final because the head of delegation for Finland is on the admin team and is the organiser for the second semi-final - this is done to allow the admins to have the uncertainty of their countries' result. Unfortunately,  Sweden were disqualified from the semi-final due to failing to vote before the deadline.

## Semi Final Two

 Japan and  Malaysia from the power six were randomly allocated to vote in this semi-final, as well as, the countries who participated in this semi-final - as always countries not in this semi-final had the choice whether they wanted to vote in this semi-final or not.  Ireland were automatically assigned to this semi-final because the head of delegation for Ireland is on the admin team and is the organiser for the third semi-final - this is done to allow the admins to have the uncertainty of their countries' result.

## Semi Final Three

 France and  Barbados from the power six were randomly allocated to vote in this semi-final, as well as, the countries who participated in this semi-final - as always countries not in this semi-final had the choice whether they wanted to vote in this semi-final or not.  Malta were automatically assigned to this semi-final because the head of delegation for Malta is on the admin team and is the organiser for the first semi-final - this is done to allow the admins to have the uncertainty of their countries' result.

## Grand Final

Thirty countries participated in the final of this edition of the **Global Music Festival** - the power six, the seven qualifiers from the three semi-finals and the three wildcard entries (one from each semi-final). All fifty-seven participating countries were eligible to vote in the final; however, only the thirty finalists were obligated to vote! The votes of the non-qualifiers and non-participants were all combined in to the televote. However, only thirty non-qualifiers and non-participants could vote. The running order for the final was announced shortly after the semi final results on the 22 July 2018. The results for the final were released on the 29 July 2018.