Edition 39

The thirty-ninth edition of the **Global Music Festival** took place at the Etihad Stadium in Melbourne, Australia. It was the second time the country hosted the contest, after Australia's second victory in the thirty-eighth edition with the song Then I Met You performed by Jessica Mauboy - which scored 280 points. This edition consisted of three semi-finals which were all launched on the 2 August 2018 and a grand final which took place from the 14 August 2018. All four of the shows in this edition were hosted by actress Nicole Kidman and actress/singer Ruby Rose.

Fifty-six countries participated in this edition of the contest. Northern Ireland made their return after last participating in the twenty-sixth edition. This edition also saw the return of another nation from the United Kingdom, Wales, who last participated in the thirtieth edition. Indonesia, Israel, Portugal and Serbia also made their return to the contest. However, seven countries decided to withdraw; Armenia, Belgium, India, Montenegro, United Arab Emirates, Venezuela and Pakistan, the latter of whom participated in the past fifteen editions

The power six for this edition were Australia, Spain, Malta, Mexico, Uzbekistan and Scotland - 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
 Catherine McGrath - Wild

## Participants

* Israel
* Northern Ireland
* Portugal
* Serbia
* Wales
* Belgium
* India
* Montenegro
* Pakistan
* United Arab Emirates
* Venezuela

## 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 1 August 2018. The forty-nine 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: 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 (Australia, Spain, Malta, Mexico, Uzbekistan and Scotland) were all drawn to vote in one of the respective semi-finals. Mexico and Scotland were assigned to vote in the first semi-final, Australia and Malta were assigned to vote in the second semi-final, and Spain and Uzbekistan were assigned to vote in the third semi-final.

## Semi Final One

 Mexico and  Scotland 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

 Australia and  Malta 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. Unfortunately,  Albania were disqualified from the semi final because they failed to vote before the deadline.

## Semi Final Three

 Spain and  Uzbekistan 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. Unfortunately,  Kosovo were disqualified from the semi final because they failed to vote before the deadline.

## 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-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 7 August 2018. The results for the final were released on the 14 August 2018.