A gig by US group Allah-Las was forced to be cancelled by authorities in the Dutch city of Rotterdam due to fears of a potential terror attack.

As Pitchfork reports, Dutch authorities cancelled the gig after fears surfaced related to the terror attack that left 15 people dead in Spain last week.

Ahmed Aboutaleb, mayor of the city, explained that Dutch police stopped a van bearing Spanish license plates, and carrying a “number of gas bottles” near the venue. The local police were alerted by police in Spain who are currently investigating the vehicle attacks that occurred last week in Catalonia.

Concert organisers told fans that they would receive their money back for the cancelled gigs, while Ahmed Aboutaleb stated that the driver of the van was currently being questioned by police after being detained.

A representative for the Allah-Las also released a statement to Pitchfork explaining the events. “Due to a potential terror threat at The Maassilo in Rotterdam, the Allah-Las show was cancelled tonight,” the statement said. “Details are not available at this time as the incident is still under investigation. The band is unharmed and are very grateful to the Rotterdam Police and other responsible agencies for detecting the potential threat before anyone was hurt.”

Many Internet commentators have begun theorising that the Allah-Las gig was targeted due to their name and the way it bears a resemblance to Allah, the Arabic word for God. However, the group said in an interview with The Guardian last year that they chose their name because “they wanted something ‘holy sounding’.”

“We get emails from Muslims, here in the US and around the world, saying they’re offended, but that absolutely wasn’t our intention,” the band said. “We email back and explain why we chose the name and mainly they understand.”

The band were previously forced to cancel a gig in Turkey because the promoter didn’t feel comfortable, but as guitarist Pedrum Siadatian stated; “What’s the alternative? We’ve had the name so long I don’t think we can change it. That wouldn’t work. We don’t dwell. You know, no regrets.”

No further details have been released about the suspect or the supposed terror threat itself, but we’ll keep you updated if any more details come to light.

Check out Allah-Las’ ‘Had It All’ below.

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