Cowboy Mouth drummer Fred LeBlanc is clearly frustrated that the crowd isn't quite up to his level of energy. He didn't have to wait long for them to warm up. (Mark Edelson / Palm Beach Post)

If the energy level at Smashmouth’s show on Friday was a little lower than the previous band’s, keep in mind, that’s not Smashmouth’s fault.

The FPL power plant up off North Flagler Drive would’ve had a hard time keeping up with the energy that Cowboy Mouth was giving, and receiving from the crowd.

Cowboy Mouth has built a reputation as one of the best live acts around, but I hadn’t seen them until Friday. I was ready to sit on my $10 lawn chair on the fringe, take a few notes and listen to them play.

The chair got zero use.

You couldn’t help but get up, raise your hands and party with these guys. You couldn’t help but heed drummer/lead singer Fred LeBlanc’s call to “give me rhythm”.

Or else he was going to come out into the crowd and come get you. Seriously.

Cowboy Mouth’s set was pure fun — and there’s one young man named Ethan who’ll remember this show for the rest of his life. LeBlanc brought him up on stage to “teach him drums”, and ended up leading the crowd in an Ozzfest-esque chant, “Ethan! Ethan! Ethan!”

I think that’s a Cowboy Mouth fan for life right there.

• Bank of America Stage closer Maze featuring Frankie Beverly was smooth as glass. Their music is pure soul, the way it used to be, mixed in with some jazz phrasing. Very nice vibe over there.

• While over at the LaBovick & LaBovick stage checking out Cowboy Mouth and Smashmouth — and right after an excellent set by local band The People Upstairs — I tried out some chicken paella at Enrique’s Latin. Really good — unfortunately, gotta take points off for bones still in the chicken.