Latest news with #JonnieWilkes
The Guardian
a day ago
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
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
- Entertainment
- 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."
