Eric Martsolf revs up excitement for the Day Players’ 2026 shows, even as the storyline around Brady and Rachel takes an even darker turn.
Brady is barely keeping himself upright lately on Days of our Lives — a father looking at the pieces of a truth he never wanted, realizing it was Rachel, not Kristen, who pulled the trigger on EJ. He’s carrying that weight everywhere he goes. So when something lighter drifted into the timeline this week, it almost felt like Salem itself exhaled. A different kind of headline bubbled up — one that came straight from The Day Players’ own corner of social media — and Eric Martsolf decided to pour a little gasoline on the excitement with a video fans devoured.
Key Takeaways
- The Day Players confirmed they’re hitting the road again in 2026, and fans immediately started hunting for tour dates.
- Eric Martsolf amped up the excitement with a laid-back video praising his bandmates and teasing their storytelling-packed live shows.
- Amid the fun, viewers are still reeling from Brady’s decision to commit Rachel — and the possibility that her connection with Sophia could ignite Salem’s next disaster.
The Band Makes It Official
The announcement came from The Day Players’ official Instagram, where the band wrote, “Don’t miss us in 2026!! Find a show at thedayplayersband.com.” It didn’t take much — a couple of lines, and suddenly people were hunting for tickets like it was a summer tour announcement from the old days. That’s the sway these guys have now: they show up, plug in, and the fun just sort of erupts around them.
And Martsolf added to it with a video that felt less like a promo and more like a buddy leaning in to tell you what’s really going on backstage. “Turns out we have some ridiculously talented musicians on Days of our Lives,” he said, adding, “Wally Kurth [Justin], who’s been on Broadway, Carson Boatman [Johnny], who’s like a bona fide country artist, Brandon Barash [Stefan] is a talented guy.”
After his praise, he continued with, “So, we tour around the country with this acoustic band. It’s like 50 percent music and 50 percent storytelling. Fans have told me it’s like we popped out of their TV and we’re looking at them on stage and we’re like singing ‘Livin’ La Vida Loca’ in their face and like what is happening right now?” The replies rolled in fast. (Check out some more Day Players BTS fun!)
Brady’s Breaking Point — and Rachel’s Next Move
One fan commented, “Really good show! Great harmonies, lots of sing-alongs, lots of fun!” and wished they’d performed at DAYS’ 60th gala. A follower said the band brings “happiness everywhere you go,” which, frankly, Salem could use in bulk. Another begged for a return to Alabama. Someone else chimed in about an already-booked May show in Pennsylvania, practically screaming with excitement. The vibe was universal: they make people feel good, and viewers are hungry for exactly that.
But once the noise around the band settled, fans drifted back to what’s happening on-screen — specifically, Rachel’s (Alice Halsey) unraveling. Brady made the impossible choice to commit her to Bayview, hoping someone there could reach her where he couldn’t. She’s sharing space with Sophia (Rachel Boyd), who may or may not be as catatonic as she appears. And if the whispers are right, Rachel might be the one to pull her back to life…or link arms with her in a way that sets up a much bigger problem.
The secret about the shooting is still festering under the floorboards, while Kristen (Stacy Haiduk) has been taken from prison and is trapped in the DiMera crypt with a few others. Brady’s guilt is a storm he can’t outrun, and Marlena’s (Deidre Hall) own health scare isn’t helping steady the ground. If Rachel and Sophia connect — truly connect — Salem’s next earthquake may be coming from Bayview, not the DiMeras.
