Sixpence None The Richer [ tickets ] and Better Than Ezra [ tickets ] have been packaged for a JC Penny-sponsored tour of more than 30 cities that kicks off in Philadelphia on Sept. 15. The tour will include weekend appearances by members of both bands at select JC Penny stores.

The tour, dubbed ''The Arizona Jeans Music Fest'' in honor of one of the department store chain's clothing lines, will also feature opening act Jeremy Toback. Though the package will play theater-sized venues in most markets, the tour will play some fairs as well.

Sixpence, a band that learned the ropes on the Christian rock scene before breaking into the mainstream with the hit ''Kiss Me,'' is currently wrapping up a European tour. They'll embark on another European leg following the package tour.

Better Than Ezra continues to tour behind the 1998 release ''How Does Your Garden Grow?'' (Elektra), which spent just one week on the Billboard 200 chart of top albums last year before dropping off the list. The band has been trying to breathe life into the CD this summer by appearing at various radio station festivals.

Toback, who has yet to crack the Billboard charts, is touring behind his latest album, ''Another True Fiction'' (RCA).