JD Twitch, one half of the renowned Scottish DJ duo Optimo, has received a heartbreaking diagnosis of an untreatable brain tumor.
Real name Keith McIvor, the musician shared this difficult news via an Instagram post, explaining that his symptoms were not immediately recognized and that his health deteriorated rapidly within just a few weeks. He noted, “Because of how quickly everything progressed, I haven’t been able to inform everyone I care about personally, so I felt this was the clearest and kindest way to let you know what’s happening.”
As a result of his condition, McIvor has had to cancel several recent gigs while under evaluation. He expressed, “I am currently trying to come to terms with this news and focusing on spending precious time with my loved ones.”
Optimo, formed by McIvor and Jonnie Wilkes—also known as JG Wilkes—are iconic figures in both Scottish and British dance music scenes. Their eclectic sets, which range from techno to disco and everything in between, have made a significant impact, particularly during their celebrated Optimo Espacio residency at Glasgow’s Sub Club from 1997 to 2010—an event that attracted central dance music enthusiasts from around the world.
In addition to their acclaimed DJ performances, McIvor and Wilkes are also accomplished musicians in their own right, having produced ambitious remixes for notable artists like Florence + the Machine and the Manic Street Preachers. McIvor has also remixed tracks for Primal Scream, Hot Chip, and Nightmares on Wax.
The duo has released highly regarded DJ mix albums such as How to Kill the DJ (Part 2), Optimo Present Psyche Out, and contributed to the mix series from London nightclub Fabric. They also launched their own label, Optimo Music, which has given rise to several spin-off labels.
McIvor has shared a link to a message board where fans can post their messages of support during this challenging time.
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