Edition 56

The fifty-sixth edition of the **Global Music Festival** took place in a temporary venue on the Brighton Beach in Bridgetown, Barbados. It was the second time the country hosted the contest, after Barbados's second victory in the fifty-fifth edition with the song Euphoria performed by Loreen - which scored a record breaking 369 points. It also was the first time the contest took place on a beach. This edition consisted of two semi-finals which were all launched on the 11 August 2019 and a grand final which took place from the 18 August 2019. All three of the shows in this edition were hosted by singers Rihanna and Leigh-Anne Pinnock. Rihanna has represented Barbados twelve times with her most successful performance in the second edition where she came sixth. Pinnock has competed alongside her band mates (Little Mix) on a total of seven times for Barbados in the eleventh edition where they came third.

Fifty-six countries participated in this edition of the contest. Belarus made their return to the contest after being absent since the forty-second edition. They were joined by four other returning countries; Bosnia & Herzegovina, Israel, Kazakhstan and North Macedonia. However a total of seven countries decided to withdraw from the contest and the were as follows; Cuba, Czech Republic, Egypt, Eswantini, Liechtenstein, Norway, Peru and the Solomon Islands.

The power six for this edition were Barbados, Spain, Mexico, Kosovo, New Zealand and Cyprus - 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

## Other Participants

* Czech Republic
* Egypt
* Eswantini
* Liechtenstein
* Norway
* Peru
* Solomon Islands

## Semi-Final Allocation Draw

The draw to determine the allocation of the participating countries into their respective semi-finals took place on the 11 August 2019. The fifty 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.

Ireland and Finland 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 and second semi-finals respectively; as a result, the countries were automatically assigned to another semi-final: Finland were assigned to semi-final one, and Ireland were assigned to semi-final two.

Also, in the semi-final allocation draw the power six nations (Barbados, Spain, Mexico, Kosovo, New Zealand and Cyprus) were all drawn to vote in one of the respective semi-finals. Barbados, Kosovo and New Zealand were assigned to vote in the first semi-final and Spain, Mexico and Cyprus were assigned to vote in the second semi-final.

## Semi Final One

 Barbados,  Kosovo and  New Zealand 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.

## Semi Final Two

 Spain,  Mexico and  Cyprus 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 second 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 and the twenty-four qualifiers from the two semi-finals. All fifty-six 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 18 August 2019. The results for the final were released on the 25 August 2019.