Latest news with #Optimo
Yahoo
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
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. READ MORE: Pioneering Edinburgh AIDS hospice that served as 'sanctuary for many' to close READ MORE: Edinburgh and Lothians locals in awe as 'ball of fire' shoots across night sky 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. Join Edinburgh Live's Whatsapp Community here and get the latest news sent straight to your messages. "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: 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 ( 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. Sign up for Edinburgh Live newsletters for more headlines straight to your inbox 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.
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."
Daily Record
a day 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."
Edinburgh Live
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Edinburgh Live
Famed Edinburgh DJ JD Twitch shares 'untreatable brain tumour' diagnosis
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info 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. Join Edinburgh Live's Whatsapp Community here and get the latest news sentstraight to your messages. "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: 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 ( 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. Sign up for Edinburgh Live newsletters for more headlines straight to your inbox 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.
