Gorillaz
I would list the Gorillaz, a British band, as an old new media icon. One might wonder why a music artist would fit this, but for me this is mainly because the band is a virtual one. I really like their music, but also their animation style.
The band plays different kinds of styles combined, such as pop rock, hip hop and electronic. However, it’s not just their music that made them famous. Jamie Hewlett, comic artist, together with Damon Albarn, musician, created the band in 1998. Irritated about all the other “manufactured” bands, their intention was to make a virtual band, but make it more interesting than all the other bands. Albarn was doing the musical part and Hewlett is responsible for the animation part.
The (virtual) band consists currently of four members: 2-D, Noodle, Murdoc Niccals, Russel Hobbs. A background story for all members was created and develops further over the albums. Vocals, songwriting and instrumentation are mainly done by Damon Albarn, but he collaborates with a lot of other artists for the musical part. Jamie Hewlett, famous for the comic Tank Girl, is responsible for the virtual looks of the band. Although he designed the characters, he is aided by animation teams.
The band also performs on tours, but being a virtual band, they often perform as a hologram (a performance as such is embedded below). I think by doing this they make use of a cool technology and it’s really an asset to the musical performance. Moreover, by having created just a virtual band, one that lives online and on TV, I can imagine it’s difficult to make them alive at the stage. By the use of holograms, the artists can project the band in 3D and have them perform, sometimes along with other real-life performers.
Sources:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gorillaz
https://www.dazeddigital.com/music/article/38932/1/jamie-hewlett-interview
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gogOkQ2GsuI