Famed Edinburgh DJ JD Twitch shares 'untreatable brain tumour' diagnosis
A former Edinburgh resident DJ has shared the devastating news he has been diagnosed with an 'untreatable' brain tumour.
Keith McIvor, who is known as DJ and producer JD Twitch, played at the legendary legendary Pure club in Edinburgh in the 1990s.
He also helped run a popular club night 'Optimo (espacio) at Sub Club in Glasgow, shared the news with his fans, Glasgow Live reports.
In a heartbreaking message to his community, Keith: "Over the past few weeks I have received lots of enquiries about my health having missed several gigs since being admitted to the hospital. Following extensive tests I've been diagnosed with a brain tumour and I have been told my condition is untreatable.
"As you can imagine, I am currently trying to process this news and prioritising spending precious time with the people I love. I know this may be difficult news to receive through social media, and I'm sorry if it feels sudden or impersonal."
Adding that because his symptoms weren't immediately diagnosed, his health has declined quickly over just a few weeks, and the post felt like the "clearest and kindest way" to let people know what was happening.
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"I truly appreciate everyone's love and concern, it means the world to me," Keith added. "I would really love to hear from you, but it is too difficult for me to reply and process your communications directly. Please respect my privacy and space, and only contact me via the message board we have set up."
Keith confirmed that people can post their messages to the board on the website here: https://www.jdtwitch.com/, adding that it will allow him to receive the messages in a way that feels more manageable, with the help of his loved ones, who are supporting him through this difficult time.
Thanking everyone who supported him throughout his journey in music, from the early days of Pure in Edinburgh in the 90s and over the past 28 years of Optimo (Espacio), he confirmed that his fellow DJ Jonnie (J.G.Wilkes) will continue to take Optimo (Espacio) forward.
He said: "Jonnie and I have been lucky enough to play our music at countless clubs and festivals throughout the world and it has been one of the greatest honours of my life to make a career out of something I love. We have connected with so many beautiful souls through our shared passion for music.
"I want to say also that Watching Trees festival holds a very special place in my heart. It's a project I've loved being part of and curating, and I know the incredible WT crew will continue to help it grow into an even more magical and meaningful experience. I trust Jonnie implicitly to continue Optimo (Espacio). I know he will carry it forward with the same spirit and passion we always shared showing you, as ever, just how much 'we love your ears'."
Coming together after first meeting on a bus from Glasgow to Edinburgh some time in the mid 1990s, Keith and Jonnie went on to found arguably the city's most iconic club night - the pair have since travelled all over the globe, headlining countless clubs, festivals and events.
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In a statement about his long-term friend and collaborator, Johnnie stated he that it was "painful to put into words" how he felt, and said: "Keith and I have been through so much together in our 28 year partnership. We are connected in a way that perhaps only he and I can understand. I do know however, that if you ever heard us play together then you will have realised how deep that connection is. I love you Keith. You inspired me like nobody else could and I'm so proud of what we've done together.
"I will continue Optimo (Espacio) with you always in my heart. The music will speak for both of us. Your anarchic spirit and your ferocious energy is all around me."
Our thoughts are with Keith and his friends and family at this time.
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The Guardian
a day ago
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JD Twitch of Scottish DJ duo Optimo diagnosed with untreatable brain tumour
JD Twitch, one half of the celebrated Scottish DJ and production duo Optimo, has been diagnosed with a brain tumour which he has been told is untreatable. The musician, real name Keith McIvor, announced the news in a post on Instagram. He said: 'My symptoms weren't immediately diagnosed, and my health declined very rapidly over just a few weeks. Because of how rapidly everything progressed I haven't been able to share this news personally with everyone I care about so this feels the clearest and kindest way to let you know what's happening.' McIvor had cancelled several recent gigs as he underwent testing. He added: 'I am currently trying to process this news and prioritising spending precious time with the people I love.' Optimo, with McIvor alongside Jonnie Wilkes (AKA JG Wilkes), are icons of Scottish and indeed British dance music culture, with their punkish and passionate attitude to DJing resulting in sets of astonishing power. Hopping from techno to disco, industrial to soft rock, their sets cover huge stylistic ground, and their weekly Optimo Espacio residency at Glasgow's Sub Club between 1997 and 2010 became a pilgrimage for global dance fans. The pair are musicians in their own right, creating ambitious remixes for artists including Florence + the Machine and Manic Street Preachers; McIvor also remixed the likes of Primal Scream, Hot Chip and Nightmares on Wax. Optimo also created acclaimed DJ mix albums such as How to Kill the DJ (Part 2), Optimo Present Psyche Out and an entry in the mix series by London nightclub Fabric. They also founded a label, Optimo Music, which spawned various spinoff labels. McIvor posted a link to a messageboard for fans to share messages of support.
BBC News
a day ago
- BBC News
Optimo DJ diagnosed with untreatable brain tumour
One half of legendary Glasgow clubbing duo Optimo has revealed he has been diagnosed with an untreatable brain McIvor, aka JD Twitch, posted news of the diagnosis on social with Jonnie Wilkes he ran Optimo Espacio - one of the city's most loved club nights - for 13 years between 1997 and 2010 at the Sub Club said it had been an honour to make a living doing something he loved. He wrote: "Following extensive tests I've been diagnosed with a brain tumour and I have been told my condition is untreatable. "As you can imagine, I am currently trying to process this news and prioritising spending precious time with the people I love." The DJ added the diagnosis had progressed rapidly, and his health had worsened very said he truly appreciated "everyone's love and concern, it means the world to me" and that he trusted Wilkes would continue making music under the Optimo wrote: "Jonnie and I have been lucky enough to play our music at countless clubs and festivals throughout the world and it has been one of the greatest honours of my life to make a career out of something I love. "We have connected with so many beautiful souls through our shared passion for music." Wilkes to continue Optimo Espacio McIvor was originally from Edinburgh but moved to Glasgow to attend university, which was when he began to Edinburgh he established famed night Pure in the 1990s, before setting up Optimo in 1997 with his friend Wilkes, who uses the name JD Wilkes when performing. The night was known for its eclectic music and proved hugely popular, while the pair continued to tour and release music after the club night concluded. Wilkes wrote on social media it was "painful to put into words" how he said: "Keith and I have been through so much together in our 28-year partnership. We are connected in a way that perhaps only he and I can understand. "I do know however, that if you ever heard us play together then you will have realised how deep that connection is. "I love you Keith. You inspired me like nobody else could and I'm so proud of what we've done together."I will continue Optimo (Espacio) with you always in my heart. The music will speak for both of us. Your anarchic spirit and your ferocious energy is all around me."
Scottish Sun
a day ago
- Scottish Sun
Legendary Scots DJ reveals shock brain tumour diagnosis in heartbreaking statement
He also revealed what will happen in the future for his nightclub Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A LEGENDARY Scottish DJ has announced a devastating brain tumour diagnosis after his health "declined very quickly". Keith McIvor, known to fans as JD Twitch, took to Instagram today to share the heartbreaking news. Sign up for the Entertainment newsletter Sign up 4 Keith McIvor, also known as JD Twitch, has announced that he has a brain tumour Credit: Getty 4 The Scots DJ said it comes after his health 'declined very quickly' Credit: Getty 4 He founded Optimo Espacio in Sub Club with music producer JG Wilkes Credit: Instagram The top DJ revealed that he was forced to miss several gigs after being admitted to hospital and had to have "extensive tests" carried out. Even though Keith's symptoms "weren't immediately diagnosed", he soon found out that he has an inoperable brain tumour. And he explained to loyal followers that doctors have said that his tumour is "untreatable". The music star shared the emotional post on Instagram and admitted that he is still trying to process the heartbreaking news with his family. And Keith said he felt that this was the "clearest and kindest way" to tell his fans what was going on after many reached out to see if he was ok after he missed shows. The post read: "Over the past few weeks I have received lots of enquiries about my health having missed several gigs since being admitted to the hospital. As you can imagine, I am currently trying to process this news and prioritising spending precious time with the people I love Keith McIvor "Following extensive tests I've been diagnosed with a brain tumour and I have been told my condition is untreatable. "As you can imagine, I am currently trying to process this news and prioritising spending precious time with the people I love. "I know this may be difficult news to receive through social media, and I'm sorry if it feels sudden or impersonal. "My symptoms weren't immediately diagnosed, and my health declined very quickly over just a few weeks. Chart-topping Scots DJ dies suddenly as devastated music stars pay tributes Keith went on to say that he is struggling to process everyone's messages of support and has asked people to post their messages on a board on his website. He explained that this "feels more manageable" for him, and he can see and respond to them with the help of his loved ones. He added: "I truly appreciate everyone's love and concern, it means the world to me. "I would really love to hear from you, but it is too difficult for me to reply and process your communications directly. "Please respect my privacy and space, and only contact me via the message board we have set up. I truly appreciate everyone's love and concern, it means the world to me. I would really love to hear from you, but it is too difficult for me to reply "This allows me to receive your messages in a way that feels more manageable, with the help of my loved ones, who are supporting me through this difficult time". Keith is one of two people behind Optimo Espacio - a weekly Sunday-night club in Sub Club in Glasgow. He runs the nightclub alongside music producer Jonnie Wilkes, who is known to fans as JG Wilkes. And Keith shared a touching message to everyone who supported Optimo Espacio as part of the emotional post. And he confirmed that Jonnie will continue to take the club forward as he deals with his condition. 'You inspired me like nobody else' KEITH and Jonnie first met on a bus heading to Edinburgh to Glasgow around the mid-1990s. And the pair went on to found the iconic nightclub as well as travel the world together to perform at a host of different clubs, festivals and events. After hearing Keith's devastating news, Jonnie also shared a post about his close friend's diagnosis. Writing his own emotional tribute to Keith, Jonnie said: "It is with the deepest sadness and reflection that I'm here writing to you in light of Keith's diagnosis. "It is too painful to put into words what I really feel. I don't know if I even have the words. "Keith and I have been through so much together in our 28-year partnership. We are connected in a way that perhaps only he and I can understand. "I do know however, that if you ever heard us play together then you will have realised how deep that connection is. "I love you Keith. You inspired me like nobody else could. I'm so proud of what we've done together. "I will continue Optimo Espacio with you always in my heart. The music will speak for both of us. "Your anarchic spirit and your ferocious energy is all around me". He said: "I want to thank everyone who has supported me throughout my journey in music, from the early days in Edinburgh in the '90s and through the past 28 years of Optimo Espacio. "Jonie and I have been lucky enough to play our music at countless clubs and festivals throughout the world and it has been one of the greatest honours of my life to make a career out of something I love. "We have connected with so many beautiful souls through our shared passion for music. "I want to say also that Watching Trees festivals holds a very special place in my heart. "It's a project I've loved being part of and curating, and I know the incredible WT crew will continue to help it grow into even more magical and meaningful experience. "I trust Jonnie implicitly to continue Optimo Espacio. "I know he will carry it forward with the same spirit and passion we always shared showing you, as ever, just how much 'we love your ears'."
