Latest news with #KeithMcIvor
The Guardian
13 hours 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.
Scottish Sun
14 hours ago
- Entertainment
- 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'."
Daily Record
14 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Legendary Scots DJ shares devastating 'untreatable' brain tumour diagnosis
Keith McIvor, aka acclaimed DJ and producer JD Twitch, is one half of the duo behind the legendary Optimo (Espacio). A top Scots DJ behind one of Glasgow's most famous club nights has revealed he is battling an 'untreatable' brain tumour. Keith McIvor, aka acclaimed DJ and producer JD Twitch, is one half of the legendary Optimo (Espacio). Keith - who usually plays alongside Jonnie Wilkes - had missed gigs over the last several weeks, including the duo's set at Glastonbury, having been admitted to hospital. On Thursday, he shared details of his diagnosis, saying he will be prioritising spending time with his family. In an emotional post to fans on social media, Keith 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. 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." Keith said his symptoms"weren't immediately diagnosed" and his health has declined quickly over just a few weeks. He added that the post on Instagram felt like the "clearest and kindest way" to let people know what was happening. "I truly appreciate everyone's love and concern, it means the world to me," said Keith. "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." McIvor launched Optimo (Espacio) with DJ Jonnie, aka 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. 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. 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 Jonnie 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. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. "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. In a statement about his long-term friend and collaborator, Jonnie 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."
