JD Twitch, one half of the legendary Scottish DJ duo Optimo, has died on the age of 57.
The DJ, actual title Keith McIvor, introduced in July that he had been recognized with an “untreatable” mind tumour, and on Saturday (September 20), his bandmate Jonnie Wilkes confirmed that he had handed away.
Posting on Instagram, Wilkes mentioned: “It’s with immense disappointment that I’m writing to let you know Keith handed away peacefully yesterday at 2.06pm at The Prince and Princess of Wales Hospice in Glasgow.”
“In a 28 12 months partnership he modified my life immeasurably and collectively we took our work in instructions and to locations few persons are fortunate sufficient to discover. I’m ceaselessly grateful for the whole lot he bestowed on me, each as a accomplice in music and as a good friend. Keith’s depth and fervour for all times, for music, for creativity and for optimistic change merely by no means let up. He was formidable. His perception in folks and the concept that standing collectively, that our collective power is highly effective was unwavering. I beloved him for that.”
“My ideas are with Keith’s household and buddies,” Wilkes added. “Thanks to them and the prolonged group who’ve tirelessly supported Keith and one another in the previous couple of months. Thanks to the workers at The Hospice who made this final whereas pretty much as good because it presumably may very well be. Keith left us far too quickly. He’ll go now to journey these space-ways however I do know his vitality stays in each considered one of us who had the privilege of figuring out him. I like you ceaselessly Keith.”
McIvor grew up in Edinburgh, the place he co-founded the influential members-only membership night time Pure, which established his popularity for genre-fluid programming. He launched Optimo with Wilkes in 1997 at Glasgow’s Sub Membership, making a legendary, boundary-pushing Sunday night time residency that employed a various music coverage and ran till 2010.
Named after the 1983 observe by Liquid Liquid, Optimo got here to be referred to as probably the most influential membership nights in dance tradition and hosted exhibits by the likes of LCD Soundsystem, Minimize Copy, Franz Ferdinand, The Rapture, TV On The Radio and Scorching Chip.
The duo started touring worldwide and launched the Optimo Music label, which supported and promoted adventurous new voices in music, together with Manufacturing facility Flooring, Divorce and Iona Fortune. McIvor additionally produced acclaimed remixes for artists together with Manic Road Preachers, Róisín Murphy and Florence + The Machine, and labored on movie soundtracks, together with the 2019 rave-themed film Beats.
Gone too quickly. Love you, Keith @JDTwitch pic.twitter.com/9EW3bIOHjF
— Tim Sweeney (@BISradio) September 20, 2025
Take heed to JD Twitch – ULTRAGOTH (Optimo Music Tape 001 – initially launched March 2021) by JD Twitch on #SoundCloudhttps://t.co/DylbGY37EH
For immediately
Appears apt
Sobriety is a wrestle
When your folks hold dying— Empire Of (band) (@empire_whimsy) September 20, 2025
We’re heartbroken to share that JD Twitch of Optimo (Espacio) has handed away. His immense expertise and fervour for music shall be missed. Be part of us in honoring his legacy and studying extra about his affect on the music world on this tribute. Test it out: https://t.co/qrcVRTlYiv (vi…
— We Love Deephouse (@WeLoveDeephouse) September 20, 2025
Amongst these to pay tribute to JD Twitch had been David Holmes, who wrote: “It was an honour to know this lovely soul. RIP you great man. We’ve got misplaced a real nice. Yr legacy will reside on ceaselessly. Sending honest condolences to Keith’s household and inside household circle.”
Daniel Avery mentioned on Instagram: “He was an all-time nice. Collectively you gave numerous folks infinite hours of pleasure, pleasure and togetherness. That’s to not point out the generations of DJs you impressed. Sending all the like to you, my good friend. You’ll little doubt proceed this legacy.”
Bicep wrote: “We’re each totally heartbroken. The affect Keith and Optimo have had on us is immense, he was a titan of UK music and tradition. He was such an extremely type, heat, real, caring particular person. Gone far too quickly. We love you Keith. Sending all of the love on this planet to you Jonnie and Keiths household. Serious about yous each day.”
Franz Ferdinand’s Alex Kapranos wrote: “Very unhappy to learn this. What an affect he had on so many lives.”
2ManyDJs additionally despatched their “deepest condolences”, including that “Keith shall be sorely missed”, whereas 4 Tet described it as “heartbreaking information” and The Avalanches known as JD Twitch “the very best to ever do it”.
David Holmes mentioned: “Keith was considered one of a form. I really feel very fortunate to have crossed his path. He won’t ever be forgotten. Large hug Jonnie.”
After McIvor shared the information of his analysis in July, his spouse began a crowdfunder to assist along with his “24-hour nursing care”, whereas a fundraiser occasion was held at Glasgow’s Queens Park Area later that month.
DJA Information, whose artists and information Optimo supported from as early as 2002, additionally launched a T-shirt vary with the slogan ‘No DJA With out Optimo’ earlier this 12 months to assist with McIvor’s care – you’ll find them right here.
“They’ve performed our information, hosted our artists, DJ’d our events, contributed remixes and information to the DFA catalog, hugged us sweatily into the night time, and been greater than household ever since,” the label wrote. “This shirt is our tiny method of making an attempt to lift cash for our good friend (each little bit of revenue will go to Keith’s fund) but it surely’s additionally a chance for us to indicate love and respect the place it’s so actually deserved, with a reality: No DFA With out Optimo.”