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Glasgow Times
17-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Glasgow Times
Fundraiser gig announced for Glasgow DJ diagnosed with brain tumour
Glasgow's Queen's Park Arena will host the event on Sunday, July 20, organised in partnership with Optimo Music, to raise funds for Keith McIvor, widely known as JD Twitch, who was diagnosed with an untreatable brain tumour. Keith, one half of pioneering DJ duo Optimo (Espacio), has made a lasting impact on the Scottish music community. Read more: Glasgow DJ Keith McIvor reveals brain tumour battle Through Optimo (Espacio), he helped shape generations of DJs, artists, and music lovers. He is well known for his fearless programming, inclusive ethos, and commitment to building community through music. Sunday's event, originally conceived by Keith as a fundraiser for Glasgow NW Foodbank, will now also help support his treatment, care, and family during this difficult time. The fundraiser offers music lovers a chance to come together in solidarity, celebrating his life, work, and legacy. Chet Capkiner, director of Inhouse CIC at Queen's Park Arena, said: "Optimo has been our spiritual home for so many of us for decades. "Keith's presence and influence changed many lives – including mine. "This is a chance for us to return that care and energy, and to support him and his family when it matters most. "A true musical mentor and inspiration to us all." A Crowdfunder set up following widespread support from friends, fans, and collaborators has already exceeded its initial target. The fundraiser is still open, as the full extent of care costs is not yet known, and can be accessed here: In line with Keith and his family's wishes, the portion of the proceeds originally intended for the food bank will still be donated. Any excess funds will be divided equally between four causes important to Keith: Glasgow NW Foodbank, the Coalition for Racial Equality and Rights, Brains Trust, and Taki's Shelter in Crete. Supporters can also read a statement from Mr McIvor about his health and leave messages for him at Read more: New tournament invites Glasgow footballers to raise funds for good cause Sunday's line-up includes artists closely connected to Keith and the Optimo community. Performing will be Isa Gordon, Tony Morris, Semispecific Ensemble, and GK Machine, who will be stepping in to DJ with Keith's endorsement. The event is family-friendly, though under-18s must be accompanied by an adult.
STV News
16-07-2025
- Entertainment
- STV News
Live music event to be held for Optimo's JD Twitch
A special music event is to be held in Glasgow to raise funds for Optimo's JD Twitch following his brain tumour diagnosis. Keith McIvor, one half of the legendary Glasgow clubbing duo, revealed he had been diagnosed with glioblastoma earlier this month. An update on Tuesday revealed that his condition has rapidly progressed, affecting his speech, mobility, and independence, and he now requires 24-hour nursing care. McIvor's wife, Marissa, created a fundraiser to help cover private residential nursing, additional support services, and essentials for ongoing palliative care. The GoFundMe has so far raised over £86,000. Queen's Park Arena has announced it will host an event on Sunday, July 20, in collaboration with Optimo Music, in an effort to add to the fundraiser. McIvor originally planned the event as a fundraiser for Glasgow NW Foodbank, but it will now also support his treatment, care, and family. The portion of proceeds initially intended for the food bank will still be donated as planned, as he had wished. Any additional donations will be split between causes close to the DJ's heart, including Glasgow NW Foodbank, the Coalition for Racial Equality and Rights, Brainstrust, and Crete's Taki's dog shelter. Isa Gordon, Tony Morris, Semispecific Ensemble and GK Machine are among those taking part in the event. Chet Capkiner, director of Inhouse CIC at Queens Park Arena, said: 'Optimo has been our spiritual home for so many of us for decades. 'Keith's presence and influence changed many lives – including mine. This is a chance for us to return that care and energy, and to support him and his family when it matters most. A true musical mentor and inspiration to us all' Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
The National
16-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The National
Fundraiser gig for Optimo DJ Keith McIvor to take place this weekend
Keith McIvor, also known as JD Twitch – one half of the Glasgow duo Optimo – announced his diagnosis last week, saying that he will be prioritising spending time with his family. Writing on Instagram, he said: 'Over the past few weeks I have received lots of enquiries about my health having missed several gigs since being admitted to the hospital. Glasgow clubbing duo Optimo '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.' READ MORE: Trump Organisation hold talks to discuss Open returning to Turnberry A crowdfunder to raise money for McIvor's ongoing care and access to therapies to manage and ease his symptoms was launched by his family. It has surpassed its initial target of £50,000 since it was launched, raising more than £87,500 at the time of writing. His family said the fundraiser would continue to stay open amid the "uncertainty" around the full extent of care costs. Any excess funds from the fundraiser will be shared equally between four causes: Glasgow NW Foodbank, the Coalition for Racial Equality and Rights, Brains Trust and Taki's Shelter in Crete. And on Wednesday, it was announced that a special live music event will take place this weekend at Queen's Park Arena to raise further funds. The event, taking place in collaboration with Optimo Music, will take place on Sunday and will feature sets from Tony Morris, Semispecific Ensemble and GK Machine. Originally planned by McIvor himself as a fundraiser for Glasgow NW Foodbank, the event will now also support his ongoing treatment and care. The portion of proceeds initially intended for the foodbank will still be donated as planned. Tickets begin at £0.50 and are available via the Skiddle website. There are also ticket options with a £5 or £10 donation included. READ MORE: Dress worn by Outlander character goes on display in Scottish filming location Commenting, Chet Capkiner, director of inhouse CIC at Queens Park Arena, said: "Optimo has been our spiritual home for so many of us for decades. Keith's presence and influence changed many lives – including mine. "This is a chance for us to return that care and energy, and to support him and his family when it matters most. A true musical mentor and inspiration to us all." Glasgow clubbing duo Optimo (Image: Matthew Arthur Williams) Along with Jonnie Wilkes, McIvor ran Optimo Espacio, regarded as one of the city's most loved club nights, for 13 years between 1997 and 2010 at the legendary Sub Club venue. Originally from Edinburgh, he moved to Glasgow to attend university, and began to DJ at the same time. McIvor's Optimo club nights went on to establish a reputation for its eclectic music and became one of Scotland's most popular club nights. The duo continued to DJ, playing festivals and gigs around the world, but McIvor's condition meant that he was unable to play at Optimo's recent shows, including their own festival, Watching Trees.
STV News
15-07-2025
- Entertainment
- STV News
Over £50,000 raised for Optimo DJ after brain tumour diagnosis
Over £50,000 has been raised for JD Twitch, one half of legendary Glasgow clubbing duo Optimo, after he revealed he had been diagnosed with an untreatable brain tumour. Having missed several gigs, Keith McIvor posted news of his glioblastoma diagnosis on social media early in July and received floods of support from fans. A fundraiser, created by his wife Marissa in response to a wave of messages from supporters worldwide, has been launched. 'After so many kind messages from friends and fans around the world asking how to help, we're launching a Crowdfunder to support Keith's urgent needs,' she wrote. It revealed that Keith's condition has rapidly progressed, affecting his speech, mobility, and independence, and he now requires 24-hour nursing care. The funds raised will go directly towards McIvor's private residential nursing care, additional support services, and essentials for ongoing transport and palliative care. The fundraiser has so far surpassed the mark of their goal with a current total of £52,327. Any additional donations will be split between causes close to Keith's heart, including Glasgow NW Foodbank, the Coalition for Racial Equality and Rights, Brainstrust, and Crete's Taki's dog shelter. An update shared alongside the appeal reads: 'While Keith's condition is extremely serious and likely to progress quickly, he's not currently in pain, can communicate well with patience, and is still present as the Keith we know and love. 'He can now connect to those most important to him in a better environment – with a determined group of friends and family around him, ready to do whatever we can to help him with what he wants and needs. 'Thank you for helping us make sure Keith is looked after with dignity and love.' You can donate to Keith's fundraiser here. McIvor is best known for helping shape Glasgow's electronic music scene over two decades after launching Optimo (Espacio) with JG Wilkes as a weekly Sunday-night event in Glasgow's Sub Club in 1997. It went on to build a reputation for its expansive music and became one of Scotland's most popular club nights, before coming to an end in 2010. Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
