Announces he will step back to focus on loved ones.
Photo credit: Optimo (Espacio) – Instagram
Keith McIvor, known as JD Twitch and one half of the revered Scottish duo Optimo (Espacio), has revealed he has been diagnosed with an untreatable brain tumour. The news was shared via a personal statement on Instagram on July 3rd, 2025.
In the emotional post, McIvor explained the rapid progression of his condition and his decision to prioritize spending time with family and friends. “I know this may be difficult news to receive through social media, and I’m sorry if it feels sudden or impersonal,” he wrote. “My symptoms weren’t immediately diagnosed, and my health declined very quickly 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 like the clearest and kindest way to let you know what’s happening.”
The illness has prevented McIvor from performing at recent Optimo dates, including their own festival, Watching Trees. Still, he expressed deep affection for the event: “It’s a project I’ve loved being part of and curating, and I know the incredible crew will continue to help it grow into an even more magical and meaningful experience.”
His longtime partner, JG Wilkes, who co-founded Optimo in 1997, also contributed a heartfelt note: “It’s 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’re 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 realized how deep that connection is.”
Optimo began as a weekly Sunday party at Glasgow’s Sub Club and quickly became known for its adventurous programming and genre-defying sets. Though the weekly nights ended in 2010, the duo has continued to perform worldwide, earning a lasting legacy in underground club culture.
Read the full statement on Optimo (Espacio)’s Instagram below.
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