"Irish band The Strypes keeps me young", says Elton

The Strypes have been championed as "the most exciting band in years" – by Elton John.

The pop icon said he can't stop listening to the Cavan teenagers, insisting their back-to-basics rhythm and blues keeps him "young".

Elton (66) is the latest high-profile star to name-check the rising four-piece, following praise from greats such as Roger Daltrey, Jeff Beck, Paul Weller and Miles Kane.

Speaking during a show at London's Palladium on Monday to mark being awarded the inaugural Brit icon award, Elton said he has been following the progress of the youngsters for some time.

"As soon as I saw them [The Strypes], I wanted to meet them. They're the most exciting band I've seen in years," he said. "They've just got so much energy."

The veteran singer said that he always likes to keep on top of what is happening in the music world.

"I love youth and it keeps me young," he said.

Meanwhile, the Irish retro-rockers have a busy schedule tomorrow when they play a set at 12.15pm at HMV's flagship store on Dublin's Henry Street, to mark the shop's re-opening.

Later that evening, they are set to appear on The Late Late Show, where they will launch their debut album Snapshot.

The band reached a global audience earlier this summer when they wowed festival-goers at Glastonbury.

They've been compared to an early version of rock legends The Rolling Stones and were recently tipped by NME as the number-one band to watch.

Actor Chris O'Dowd, who watched the lads perform at Glastonbury where the Stones headlined, even said the Irish act were better live than the veteran English rockers. The Roscommon actor said: "The Rolling Stones were a solid 8, but Irish boys The Strypes turned it up to 11."