The Scottish DJ passed away 11 weeks after revealing his terminal cancer diagnosis.
Photo credit: Optimo (Espacio) – Instagram
Keith McIvor, known as JD Twitch and one half of Optimo (Espacio), has died at 57. His passing was confirmed on September 20th, 2025, via the duo’s Instagram page.
McIvor died peacefully at The Prince and Princess of Wales Hospice in Glasgow, as shared by longtime collaborator Jonnie Wilkes: “In a 28-year partnership he changed my life immeasurably.”
A key figure in Scotland’s underground, McIvor rose to prominence in the early ‘90s with Pure, a foundational party in Edinburgh. In 1997, he and Wilkes launched Optimo at Sub Club, a genre-defying Sunday residency that became a cult favorite for its daring programming and live bookings.
Outside the booth, McIvor founded Optimo Music, curating releases from Chris Carter, Dennis Bovell, and others, while exploring niche scenes through compilations and his Cease & Desist cassette label. His event series Bucky Skank and So Low, also raised funds for food banks.
Earlier this year, he withdrew from public appearances and revealed he had an untreatable brain tumor. In his final message, he wrote: “We’ve connected with so many beautiful souls through our shared passion for music. I trust Jonnie implicitly to continue Optimo (Espacio).“
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